Iraq Update: Chaos Still Reigns
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BAGHDAD, IRAQ -- Amid reports of corruption
centered around rice tenders conducted by the Iraqi Minister of Trade (MoT), USA Rice has learned a court order was issued over the weekend to arrest the Iraqi Trade Minister and his brother to be investigated for corruption. It remains unclear how this latest shake up will affect the pending or future tenders. A new tender that was to be announced today has been postponed and, according to the Director General of the Grain Board of Iraq, a new tender will be issued either later this week or next regardless of this new situation.
USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward said, "At this point, USA Rice will await further guidance from our consultant and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad before proceeding with plans for a visit by members of the Ministry of Trade or the Grain Board."
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Chef de Riz Named at International Rice Festival
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CROWLEY, LA -- Competition was fierce at the 79th annual International Rice Festival's Rice and Creole Cookery Contest sponsored by USA Rice last Friday. Hometown standout Jill Villejoin won the title of Chef de Riz (cooker of rice) based not only on her cooking expertise but also her rice knowledge, including the nutritional value, cooking qualities, and types and varieties.
Overall winners from the rice-dish categories, called tri-color winners, included: Khloe Pitre of Dry Creek, children's division and Junior Chef de Riz winner; Kallie Pitre of Dry Creek, intermediate division; and Victoria Armentor of New Iberia, teen division.
The contest is an opportunity for youth and adults to showcase the many ways that rice can be incorporated into the family diet.
"The Volunteers for Family and Community Club (VFC) appreciate the annual support of this contest by USA Rice," said Letha Vincent, contest organizer and Rice and Creole Cookery Contest Chairwoman.
Contact: Randy Jemison (337) 738-7009
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From left: Randy Jemison (USA Rice), Victoria Armentor, Jill Villejoin,
Kallie Pitre, Khloe Pitre, and Letha Vincent
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Crop Progress: 2015 Crop 95 Percent Harvested
| WASHINGTON, DC -- Ninety-five percent of the nation's 2015 rice acreage is harvested, according to today's U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.
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Rice Harvested, Selected States
| | Week Ending | |
State
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Oct 18, 2014
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Oct 11, 2015
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Oct 18, 2015
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2010-2014 average
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Percent
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Arkansas
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90
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93
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96
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91
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California
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81
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65
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90
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57
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Louisiana
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100
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100
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100
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100
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Mississippi
| 89
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91
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98
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95
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Missouri
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77
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85
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90
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86
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Texas
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100
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100
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100
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100
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Six States
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90
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88
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95
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87
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| CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures | CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for October 19
| November 2015 | $12.105 |
- $0.005
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January 2016
| $12.390 |
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March 2016
| $12.665 |
- $0.015
| | May 2016 | $12.905 |
UNCH
| | July 2016 | $13.100 |
+ $0.010
| | September 2016 | $12.415 |
+ $0.050
| November 2016
| $12.415
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+ $0.050
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In the News
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Around the Country
Video interview with Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford who held his first in a series of Arkansas Ag-Tech Symposiums at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Oct. 14.
Photo essay shows how impressively large, hidden root balls accomplish a lot-storing carbon, nourishing soil, increasing bioproductivity, and preventing erosion.
"Rice growers are implementing practices that reduce methane emissions, at the same time providing very valuable habitat for water birds," says Robert Parkhurst, who works on greenhouse gas mitigation with the Environmental Defense Fund. "So there's more than one benefit. There's the carbon and the habitat benefit at the same time."
Video report on the Rice Festival, the oldest and largest agricultural festival in Louisiana, held each year to pay tribute to the rice industry and its major role in the success of southwest Louisiana.
Science and Technology
In honor of World Food Day (Oct. 16), here is a snapshot from around the globe of how UC's international food and agriculture research and extension work is helping to feed the world, advance health and increase sustainability. It's an ABC list and the 'R' stands for Rice.
Tariffs and Trade
The U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington conducted a study of the competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry and of other factors impacting global rice trade and found that the policies that have the greatest impact on U.S. production and exports are tariffs. ITC determined that if global tariffs had been eliminated on rice in 2013, both U.S. production and exports would have increased by about 1.3 million metric tons that year.
Days after the Obama administration announced a Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement after nearly six years of negotiations, Hatch offered a stinging review and warned the administration may have ignored congressional marching orders in a number of areas.
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| Upcoming Events | Events Calendar
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| Mission Statement | | USA Rice is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants and allied businesses. |
| About Us | Editor: Michael Klein,
(703) 236-1458,
mklein@usarice.com
Fax (703) 236-2301
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 610
Arlington, VA 22201
This report is time-sensitive, based on information available at press time. Content is derived from facts and sources believed to be reliable. Reprinting and/or distribution may be done with permission of USA Rice.
Copyright © 2015. Please direct comments or questions to the editor or contact name listed for each story. |
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