Coarse Grain Cereal Prices
Last week saw little change in the prices of coarse grains in India on an average. Though there were some highs on some grains in particular markets, it can not be termed as a rally.
Maize stocks are arriving is Bihar, Parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu keeping in prices in check. The market expects the price to shoot up in the middle of June 2005. Last week prices of maize ruled from a low of Rs.4915 ($113) per ton from local maize to a high of Rs.5742 ($132) per ton for Red maize. Spot prices at Nizamabad and Davangrere ranged at Rs.5220 ($120) and Rs.5300 ($ 122) per ton respectively. Future prices for June, July and August were Rs.5350 ($123), Rs.5481 ($126) and Rs.5611 ($129) per ton. The average price at Mandis (market yard) was Rs.5524 ($127) per ton and cost at the end user site was approx. Rs.6000 ($138) per ton. Prices in US are little higher and FOB (US Gulf) prices for yellow corn were ranging from $99 - $102 per ton.
Pearl Millet (Bajra) prices have come down as stocks have arrived in various markets in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The average prices were higher than the Minimum support prices announced by Govt. of India. Pearl Millet was being traded at Rs.5176 – Rs.6264 ($119 – 144) per ton in various markets.
Barley prices firmed up and were little higher than last week. The prices ranged from a low of Rs.5742 ($132) to a high of (rs.6525 ($150) per ton. Average prices at the end user was reported to be Rs.6000 ($138) per ton. Prices in US were reported to be $122 per ton (FOB PNW)
Prices of Grain Sorghum (Jowar) have also firmed up in some of the markets. The commodity was traded at a low of Rs.5785 ($133) per ton and a high of Rs.7960 ($183) per ton at various market yards. The end user prices was averaged at Rs.7656 ($176) per ton. US prices ranged from $103 – 108 per ton (FOB US Gulf)
The freight rates are currently much lower and as per the report received the anticipated increase in container freight rates has been put off, which would make importing specially grains cheaper to some extent.
The detailed U S Grains Council weekly report can be found at the following link.
http://www.grains.org/buying/market_perspectives/mp_05-27-05.pdf
The prices of corn co-products have shown an increasing trend. Corn gluten feed with 21% percent protein was traded at $88 per ton, while Corn gluten meal with 60% protein was traded at $360 per ton.
Warehouse Receipts Act: Can it work for eggs
The working group within Reserve Bank of India has deliberated on the issues pertaining to the running of the warehouses and commodity futures and has recommended that a Warehouse Receipt Act be passed, and make a Warehouse Receipt a negotiable instrument.
Currently no banks treat a Warehouse Receipt as a negotiable instrument as the warehouses are not accredited and the banks have no mechanism to track the commodity in case of a default.
While in Russia the warehouse receipt program is working well for commodities, it is yet to start in India. The program will help the farmers realize a better price for their produce.
In Russia, warehouses are accredited by the Russian Grain Union (RGU) and the receipts issued are used as negotiable instruments. RGU has developed and published standard technical procedures and documentation, and negotiations have been undertaken with multiple elevators, grain merchants, banks, and insurance companies to facilitate the design and use of the program. The commodities kept in these licensed / accredited warehouses are used as collateral to gain access to funds, which help the end users and allow growth.
While for the commodities like grains as well as fruits it can work very well, it needs to be seen if it would work for eggs as well. In most cases eggs are stored in cold stores in South, West and North India as the prices dip in summer months and also the demand is lower. The farmers during this period would be able to use the receipt issued by the accredited warehouses / cold storage and leverage funds from banks, for use. Under normal circumstances, the farms during the period stop bird replacement as all the money is tied up in eggs stored in the warehouse. A creation of a voluntary warehouse receipt system will be an advantage to the layer industry and will help the industry grow much faster than the 4% - 5% it is currently growing at.
Amit Sachdev
Representative
U S Grains Council, India
bluecross303@gmail.com
Monday, May 30, 2005
Friday, May 13, 2005
Coarse Grain Cereal Prices in India and US; Biotech Update; Younger, Vibrant India will move the meat demand
Coarse Grain Cereal Prices in India and US
All coarse grains (Pearl Millet, Barley, Grain Sorghum and Maize) in India are trading at prices higher than Minimum Support Price announced by government of India.
Pearl Millet (Bajra) was being traded at Rs.5700 – Rs.6900 ($131 – 159) per MT for different varieties. With in the states the commodity was traded at lowest in Andhra Pradesh at Rs.5785 ($133) per MT and highest in Maharahtra at Rs.7180 ($165) per MT. The MSP announced is Rs.5250 ($121) per MT.
Barley was being traded at Rs.4750 – Rs.4825 ($109 – 111)) per MT for different varieties. Within the states the commodity was traded in Rajasthan only at Rs.5350 ($123). The MSP announced is Rs.5400 ($124) per MT. The prices are expected to increase as the supplies are not coming into the market.
Grain Sorghum (Jowar) was being traded at Rs.6000 – Rs.9200 ($138 – 212) per MT for different varieties. With in the states the commodity was traded at lowest in Gujarat at Rs.6450 ($148) per MT and highest in Rajasthan at Rs.10475 ($241) per MT. The MSP announced is Rs.5250 ($121) per MT.
Corn (Maize) was being traded at Rs.5350 – Rs.5785 ($123 – 133) per MT for different varieties. With in the states the commodity was traded at lowest in Tamil Nadu at Rs.5475 ($126) per MT and highest in Maharahtra at Rs.6050 ($139) per MT. The MSP announced is Rs.5400 ($124) per MT.
The CBOT closed at $2.0425 per bushel ($80.40 per MT) on Thursday, May 12,2005. Average farm prices were pegged at $1.55-$1.95 per bushel ($61 -76.75 per MT) (for the 2005/2006 season which is well below $2.00-$2.10 per bushel ($78.72 - $82.65 per MT) for this season and $2.42 per bushel ($95.25 per MT) last season.
World corn ending stocks for the 2005/2006 season were pegged at 122.1 million tonnes as compared with 128.7 million tonnes for this season which was an upward revision from 124.68 million last month. China is expected to export 3 million tonnes as compared with 6 million this season.
Biotech Update
While there are still controversies on labelling etc, the one billionth cumulative acre of biotech crops was planted on May 09, 2005, as per Dr.Ross Kroves, economist and policy analyst with Truth About Trade & Technology (TATT). The information is based on the counter designed to track biotech crop acres as they are planted and harvested around the world.
With a billion acres planted – and in their 10th year of commercialization – seeds with biotech traits are the new safe and conventional source of food and could lead to food security in many developing countries, which have adopted the GM technology and are researching as well.
Using a two-year-old database, FAO-BioDeC, which has about 2,000 entries from 71 developing countries, the Food and Agricultural Agency (FAO) predicts that some of these countries could soon have new GM crops, such as virus-resistant papaya, sweet potato and cassava, as well as rice tolerant of such abiotic stresses as salinity and drought.
The data shows that Argentina, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Mexico and South Africa are leading the research advances on such crops as banana, cassava, cowpea, plantain, rice and sorghum, and on traits needed for food security, such as abiotic stress tolerance and quality.
The billion acres planted around the world clearly shows the economic as well as the environmental benefits of biotech crops. Analysis of producer experiences in both developed and developing countries indicate increased economic return as a direct result of biotech crop production. With improved traits, the use of the technology will increase and provide support to the farmers as well as consumers.
Imagine, how big is a BILLION ACRES. It is BIG.
A billion square acres would circle the earth at the equator more than 1587 times. It would reach the moon and return 164 times. A billion acres would reach the sun and be back and will still have some length left to spare. A billion acres (equivalent to 400 million hectares) would cover the entire land area of the European Union’s 25 countries. (World Factbook, 2004).
Younger, Vibrant India will move the meat demand
With only 2.4% of land mass, India supports about 17% of the world’s population. As per reports, India with an average age of 26 years against 33 years of China will enjoy a much bigger demographic growth. There will be a surge in the working population will be about 942 million in 2025. India’s youthfulness is going to drive its growth rates.
This some view as a demographic goldmine, as Indian economy will be the only economy that will be consistently growing at 5% annually until 2050. This would also encourage flow of capital.
As India gets younger, the consumer demands will change, perceptions of market would also change. Super store chains like Walmart, have already identified India as the next stop and retailing quality products and reaching the consumers will benefit all industries especially the processed food sector. Currently with only 2% of the food being processed, Indian industry and Government will have to work together to make available the best products at the best possible price to the Indian consumers.
A report from Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research Suggests, “Per person meat and seafood consumption is projected to increase by 157 per cent over the next 20 years, to reach 13 kg per head. But this remains extremely low compared with meat consumption in other countries. For all meats, production growth will be sufficient to satisfy consumption growth, with no need for imports. Consumption of dairy products will grow at a faster rate than production, leading to a substantial import dependency by 2020”.
The report also points towards some facts like, “There are negligible exports because of poor quality and hygiene standards”; “Integrators are fast taking over from independent growers. Live broilers are marketed at 1.75 kg per bird, with a feed conversion ratio of 1:8”; “A big growth in demand is expected, driven by population and per market opportunities capita income growth”; “India is traditionally a market for live birds (96 per cent in total) but its processing share is increasing rapidly.”
For the future the reports is little sceptical on inputs and points a a finger at Maize output. The report points out that that with poultry consuming over 50% of India’s maize crop, India will not be able to expand its maize production sufficiently to support the anticipated increase in production to meet projected demands.
Amit Sachdev
Representative
U S Grains Council, India
bluecross303@gmail.com
All coarse grains (Pearl Millet, Barley, Grain Sorghum and Maize) in India are trading at prices higher than Minimum Support Price announced by government of India.
Pearl Millet (Bajra) was being traded at Rs.5700 – Rs.6900 ($131 – 159) per MT for different varieties. With in the states the commodity was traded at lowest in Andhra Pradesh at Rs.5785 ($133) per MT and highest in Maharahtra at Rs.7180 ($165) per MT. The MSP announced is Rs.5250 ($121) per MT.
Barley was being traded at Rs.4750 – Rs.4825 ($109 – 111)) per MT for different varieties. Within the states the commodity was traded in Rajasthan only at Rs.5350 ($123). The MSP announced is Rs.5400 ($124) per MT. The prices are expected to increase as the supplies are not coming into the market.
Grain Sorghum (Jowar) was being traded at Rs.6000 – Rs.9200 ($138 – 212) per MT for different varieties. With in the states the commodity was traded at lowest in Gujarat at Rs.6450 ($148) per MT and highest in Rajasthan at Rs.10475 ($241) per MT. The MSP announced is Rs.5250 ($121) per MT.
Corn (Maize) was being traded at Rs.5350 – Rs.5785 ($123 – 133) per MT for different varieties. With in the states the commodity was traded at lowest in Tamil Nadu at Rs.5475 ($126) per MT and highest in Maharahtra at Rs.6050 ($139) per MT. The MSP announced is Rs.5400 ($124) per MT.
The CBOT closed at $2.0425 per bushel ($80.40 per MT) on Thursday, May 12,2005. Average farm prices were pegged at $1.55-$1.95 per bushel ($61 -76.75 per MT) (for the 2005/2006 season which is well below $2.00-$2.10 per bushel ($78.72 - $82.65 per MT) for this season and $2.42 per bushel ($95.25 per MT) last season.
World corn ending stocks for the 2005/2006 season were pegged at 122.1 million tonnes as compared with 128.7 million tonnes for this season which was an upward revision from 124.68 million last month. China is expected to export 3 million tonnes as compared with 6 million this season.
Biotech Update
While there are still controversies on labelling etc, the one billionth cumulative acre of biotech crops was planted on May 09, 2005, as per Dr.Ross Kroves, economist and policy analyst with Truth About Trade & Technology (TATT). The information is based on the counter designed to track biotech crop acres as they are planted and harvested around the world.
With a billion acres planted – and in their 10th year of commercialization – seeds with biotech traits are the new safe and conventional source of food and could lead to food security in many developing countries, which have adopted the GM technology and are researching as well.
Using a two-year-old database, FAO-BioDeC, which has about 2,000 entries from 71 developing countries, the Food and Agricultural Agency (FAO) predicts that some of these countries could soon have new GM crops, such as virus-resistant papaya, sweet potato and cassava, as well as rice tolerant of such abiotic stresses as salinity and drought.
The data shows that Argentina, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Mexico and South Africa are leading the research advances on such crops as banana, cassava, cowpea, plantain, rice and sorghum, and on traits needed for food security, such as abiotic stress tolerance and quality.
The billion acres planted around the world clearly shows the economic as well as the environmental benefits of biotech crops. Analysis of producer experiences in both developed and developing countries indicate increased economic return as a direct result of biotech crop production. With improved traits, the use of the technology will increase and provide support to the farmers as well as consumers.
Imagine, how big is a BILLION ACRES. It is BIG.
A billion square acres would circle the earth at the equator more than 1587 times. It would reach the moon and return 164 times. A billion acres would reach the sun and be back and will still have some length left to spare. A billion acres (equivalent to 400 million hectares) would cover the entire land area of the European Union’s 25 countries. (World Factbook, 2004).
Younger, Vibrant India will move the meat demand
With only 2.4% of land mass, India supports about 17% of the world’s population. As per reports, India with an average age of 26 years against 33 years of China will enjoy a much bigger demographic growth. There will be a surge in the working population will be about 942 million in 2025. India’s youthfulness is going to drive its growth rates.
This some view as a demographic goldmine, as Indian economy will be the only economy that will be consistently growing at 5% annually until 2050. This would also encourage flow of capital.
As India gets younger, the consumer demands will change, perceptions of market would also change. Super store chains like Walmart, have already identified India as the next stop and retailing quality products and reaching the consumers will benefit all industries especially the processed food sector. Currently with only 2% of the food being processed, Indian industry and Government will have to work together to make available the best products at the best possible price to the Indian consumers.
A report from Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research Suggests, “Per person meat and seafood consumption is projected to increase by 157 per cent over the next 20 years, to reach 13 kg per head. But this remains extremely low compared with meat consumption in other countries. For all meats, production growth will be sufficient to satisfy consumption growth, with no need for imports. Consumption of dairy products will grow at a faster rate than production, leading to a substantial import dependency by 2020”.
The report also points towards some facts like, “There are negligible exports because of poor quality and hygiene standards”; “Integrators are fast taking over from independent growers. Live broilers are marketed at 1.75 kg per bird, with a feed conversion ratio of 1:8”; “A big growth in demand is expected, driven by population and per market opportunities capita income growth”; “India is traditionally a market for live birds (96 per cent in total) but its processing share is increasing rapidly.”
For the future the reports is little sceptical on inputs and points a a finger at Maize output. The report points out that that with poultry consuming over 50% of India’s maize crop, India will not be able to expand its maize production sufficiently to support the anticipated increase in production to meet projected demands.
Amit Sachdev
Representative
U S Grains Council, India
bluecross303@gmail.com
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Coarse Grain Cereal Prices; No regulations on meat slaughter will lead to health problems
Coarse Grain Cereal Prices
Government of India has announced a hike in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all coarse cereals for the Kharif season. The prices have been hiked by Rs.100 – 150 per ton. The current prices are as under:
Bajra (Pearl Millet): Rs.5250 ($121) up from Rs.5150 ($118) per ton
Barley: Rs.5400 ($124) per ton up from Rs.5250 ($121) per ton
Jowar (Grain Sorghum): Rs.5250 ($121) up from Rs.5150 ($118) per ton
Maize (Corn): Rs.5400 ($124) up from Rs.5250 ($121) per ton
Reports suggest that the inflation for the week ending April 23, 2005 hit a high of 5.91 percent, due to price increases in Vegetables, Bajra (Pearl Millet, Oil etc). Last year the inflation for the same period was 4.32 percent.
The coarse cereal prices for different varieties are stable in the markets across the country except for Jowar (Sorghum) which has shown an upward trend. The major hike in Jowar prices is being seen in Maharashtra and Rajasthan where the prices have moved to a high of Rs.7830 ($180) per ton and Rs.10745 ($247) per ton respectively, which is much higher than the MSP as well.
In case of Maize (corn) the prices are also slightly higher than the last week in states of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. In all the above states the prices are ranging from Rs.5450 ($125) to a high of Rs.6500 ($151) per ton, which is again higher than the MSP announced by government of India.
The spot prices are Nizamabad and Davangere and reported at Rs.5255 ($121) per ton and Rs.5310 ($122) per ton.
CBOT closed at $2.0825 per bushel ($81.96 per ton) for July delivery. The FOB US Gulf would range from $98 – 100 per ton.
No regulations on meat slaughter will lead to health problems for communities and consumers in developing countries.
According to the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa will be the world’s leading producers of animal products by 2020. Apart from production the consumption of animal products will also increase in these countries due to increase in wealth. It is estimated that meat consumption in India will rise to 6 kg per person by 2020 (IFPRI).
With little or no regulation presently in place to control inputs or outputs of animal farming in most developing countries, the health of communities and consumers is of great concern.
The major infections are caused by E coli, Campylobactor and Salmonella which are present in the environment and on all meats. Putting systems in place which will check the health status of the animals prior to slaughter (Ante Motrem) and after slaughter (Post Mortem) would be a factor, but how the systems are implemented is a big question.
Though many reports suggest regulating production systems and move away from the intensive systems to free range or organic, it does not solve the problem. The problems exist where processing systems are primitive or non- existing and in addition there are no systems in place which can create an environment of confidence for the consumer.
Regulating live markets and street slaughter should be the first step. The second logical step would be to set up infrastructure for co-operative/common slaughter facilities in hygienic conditions.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India does provide grants to State Governments and Municipal corporations to set up slaughter facilities.
It is high time, the industry rises to the occasion and joins hands with local bodies, state government and the federal government to create the kind of infrastructure that will promote hygienic meat production and consumption.
Amit Sachdev
Representative
U S Grains Council, India
bluecross303@gmail.com
Government of India has announced a hike in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all coarse cereals for the Kharif season. The prices have been hiked by Rs.100 – 150 per ton. The current prices are as under:
Bajra (Pearl Millet): Rs.5250 ($121) up from Rs.5150 ($118) per ton
Barley: Rs.5400 ($124) per ton up from Rs.5250 ($121) per ton
Jowar (Grain Sorghum): Rs.5250 ($121) up from Rs.5150 ($118) per ton
Maize (Corn): Rs.5400 ($124) up from Rs.5250 ($121) per ton
Reports suggest that the inflation for the week ending April 23, 2005 hit a high of 5.91 percent, due to price increases in Vegetables, Bajra (Pearl Millet, Oil etc). Last year the inflation for the same period was 4.32 percent.
The coarse cereal prices for different varieties are stable in the markets across the country except for Jowar (Sorghum) which has shown an upward trend. The major hike in Jowar prices is being seen in Maharashtra and Rajasthan where the prices have moved to a high of Rs.7830 ($180) per ton and Rs.10745 ($247) per ton respectively, which is much higher than the MSP as well.
In case of Maize (corn) the prices are also slightly higher than the last week in states of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. In all the above states the prices are ranging from Rs.5450 ($125) to a high of Rs.6500 ($151) per ton, which is again higher than the MSP announced by government of India.
The spot prices are Nizamabad and Davangere and reported at Rs.5255 ($121) per ton and Rs.5310 ($122) per ton.
CBOT closed at $2.0825 per bushel ($81.96 per ton) for July delivery. The FOB US Gulf would range from $98 – 100 per ton.
No regulations on meat slaughter will lead to health problems for communities and consumers in developing countries.
According to the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa will be the world’s leading producers of animal products by 2020. Apart from production the consumption of animal products will also increase in these countries due to increase in wealth. It is estimated that meat consumption in India will rise to 6 kg per person by 2020 (IFPRI).
With little or no regulation presently in place to control inputs or outputs of animal farming in most developing countries, the health of communities and consumers is of great concern.
The major infections are caused by E coli, Campylobactor and Salmonella which are present in the environment and on all meats. Putting systems in place which will check the health status of the animals prior to slaughter (Ante Motrem) and after slaughter (Post Mortem) would be a factor, but how the systems are implemented is a big question.
Though many reports suggest regulating production systems and move away from the intensive systems to free range or organic, it does not solve the problem. The problems exist where processing systems are primitive or non- existing and in addition there are no systems in place which can create an environment of confidence for the consumer.
Regulating live markets and street slaughter should be the first step. The second logical step would be to set up infrastructure for co-operative/common slaughter facilities in hygienic conditions.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India does provide grants to State Governments and Municipal corporations to set up slaughter facilities.
It is high time, the industry rises to the occasion and joins hands with local bodies, state government and the federal government to create the kind of infrastructure that will promote hygienic meat production and consumption.
Amit Sachdev
Representative
U S Grains Council, India
bluecross303@gmail.com
Monday, May 02, 2005
Commodity Prices and world trade; Biotech Rice cuts use of pesticides; USGC completes its first training course on Poultry Meat Inspection in India
Commodity Prices and world trade
The coarse grain prices in India are stable. As the arrivals for Bajra (Pearl Millet) started in the markets the prices have come down to $138 per MT at the end of the month from the high of $160 per MT from the third week. Prices of some varieties on the other hand rose. The arrivals are very slow in most of the markets for Pearl Millet.
Barley prices have been stable, but the arrivals have been slow. Average prices for the varieties that can be used for the brewery are ranging from a low of $109 per MT to a high of $131 per MT. Average prices is about $121 per MT at the market yard, which is somewhat higher than last year.
Grain Sorghum prices have risen in the last month and the arrivals have slowed. The prices range from a low of $112 per MT for a hybrid variety to a high of $213 per MT for a yellow variety. The prices for the same varieties were $97 per MT for hybrid while the yellow variety was sold at $186 per MT in the first week of April 2005.
Maize prices have also shown an upward trend and the arrivals are getting slow. The quality is also not satisfactory. The prices of hybrid variety which was $124 per MT at the start of the month rose to $134 per MT at the end of the month. The yellow variety which was being sold at $121 per MT during the same period has gone up to $138 per MT. Maize futures are $123 per MT for May, $126 per MT for June and $127 per MT for July delivery. The prices are ex warehouse. Spot prices at Nizamabad and Dawangere were $122 per MT and $123 per MT respectively.
The corn prices at CBOT were going up slowly. For May the CBOT closed at $2.046 per bushel ($80.53 per MT), while for July delivery the CBOT closed at $2.135 per bushel ($84.03 per MT). The current FOB prices (US Gulf) for US No. 2 yellow corn are $99 per MT, while sorghum is being traded at $102 per MT (FOB US Gulf).
The sowing for corn has started in US for 2005-06 crop and the coverage is currently below the USDA expectations. International Grains Council (IGC) estimates the world coarse grain production for 2005-06 at 954 MMT, about 4.6 percent lower than 2004-05 crop of 1.011 billion metric tons. The total requirement is expected to be 961 MMT for the year 2005-06.
Biotech Rice can cut use of pesticides and illness, suggests study (from National Geographic Channel)
Reports from the trial in China indicate that the use of GM rice can reduce the use of pesticides by over 80 percent and an increase in production by 6 to 9 percent. The tests are a final step before China decides on the commercial release of the GM rice.
Two strains of rice were altered to resist attack of two insects, rice stem borer and leaf rollers. They were tested during years of regulatory trials. The tests in China measured food safety, growth effectiveness, and environmental impact. But the recent trials were the first to document the impact of genetically modified rice at the individual farm level.
Farmers typically apply pesticides to combat rice stem borers and leaf rollers only if inspections show crops are infested. During the study farmers used smaller amounts pesticide because they saw less need. As a result, farmers' pesticide exposure dropped, and their health improved.
Pesticide exposure-related illness is a major problem in the agricultural communities of developing nations, including India. Awareness and safety procedures lag far behind those in more developed economies. Manual labour is also more widespread, and, as a result, human-crop interactions occur much more closely and often.
As per Dr.Huang, Director of the Centre of Chinese Agriculture Policy, "Annually more than 50,000 farmers are poisoned in farm fields, of which some 400 to 500 die,"
U S Grains Council completes its first training course on Poultry Meat InspectionDr.David Shapiro and Dr.P T Wang were the lead resources for the Poultry Meat Inspection Training Course, organized by the Council at Bombay Veterinary College from April 24 – 29, 2005. The group included officers of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India and the plant managers of the major poultry processors. The GOI officers are responsible for the inspection of value added products and administer Meat Food Products order of 1973 (MFPO of 1973). The current order or any other order does not cover raw, chilled, frozen chicken meat.
The topics covered included GMP & GHP requirements and HACCP for poultry meat. Also topics on inspection system, what to inspect, food safety, transport etc were covered in detail. The group also visited the traditional street markets in Bombay, where chicken was being slaughtered to see the condition of meat and also visited a HACCP certified slaughter facility of Godrej Agrovet Limited to compare the two. The group also visited the facility of Vesta Foods Limited, sole suppliers to McDonalds for their chicken and vegetable value added products.
The Indian poultry industry is currently growing at 12 – 13 percent per annum, and can grow much faster if the processing industry gets a boost from the government and the products get a seal of inspection so as the consumer is confident about the product that is available.
Major recommendations that emerged from the discussions included:
1. Government of India, Private Sector companies and NGO’s need to work together to create awareness about hygienic chicken slaughter practices.
2. MFPO to include raw, chilled and frozen chicken in its definition of products and register the poultry processing plants.
3. Municipal corporations of the four metropolitan cities and other major cities be encouraged to stop street slaughter in a phased manner and private sector be encouraged to invest in setting up slaughter facilities and cold chain infrastructure fir storage, supply and sale of chicken and chicken products to the consumers.
It is vital that some sort of inspection system, may be random check be initiated which will be better that the current ‘no inspection system’. It is also vital that the wet markets are regulated and follow a system. The long term goal should be to supply safest meat to the consumers.
The Council will plan a second training course for the remaining officers in July 2005 and by that time it is expected that the MFPO will be amended to include the chilled and frozen chicken in the list of products and the registration of the plants would start.
Amit Sachdev
Representative
U S Grains Council, India
bluecross303@gmail.com
The coarse grain prices in India are stable. As the arrivals for Bajra (Pearl Millet) started in the markets the prices have come down to $138 per MT at the end of the month from the high of $160 per MT from the third week. Prices of some varieties on the other hand rose. The arrivals are very slow in most of the markets for Pearl Millet.
Barley prices have been stable, but the arrivals have been slow. Average prices for the varieties that can be used for the brewery are ranging from a low of $109 per MT to a high of $131 per MT. Average prices is about $121 per MT at the market yard, which is somewhat higher than last year.
Grain Sorghum prices have risen in the last month and the arrivals have slowed. The prices range from a low of $112 per MT for a hybrid variety to a high of $213 per MT for a yellow variety. The prices for the same varieties were $97 per MT for hybrid while the yellow variety was sold at $186 per MT in the first week of April 2005.
Maize prices have also shown an upward trend and the arrivals are getting slow. The quality is also not satisfactory. The prices of hybrid variety which was $124 per MT at the start of the month rose to $134 per MT at the end of the month. The yellow variety which was being sold at $121 per MT during the same period has gone up to $138 per MT. Maize futures are $123 per MT for May, $126 per MT for June and $127 per MT for July delivery. The prices are ex warehouse. Spot prices at Nizamabad and Dawangere were $122 per MT and $123 per MT respectively.
The corn prices at CBOT were going up slowly. For May the CBOT closed at $2.046 per bushel ($80.53 per MT), while for July delivery the CBOT closed at $2.135 per bushel ($84.03 per MT). The current FOB prices (US Gulf) for US No. 2 yellow corn are $99 per MT, while sorghum is being traded at $102 per MT (FOB US Gulf).
The sowing for corn has started in US for 2005-06 crop and the coverage is currently below the USDA expectations. International Grains Council (IGC) estimates the world coarse grain production for 2005-06 at 954 MMT, about 4.6 percent lower than 2004-05 crop of 1.011 billion metric tons. The total requirement is expected to be 961 MMT for the year 2005-06.
Biotech Rice can cut use of pesticides and illness, suggests study (from National Geographic Channel)
Reports from the trial in China indicate that the use of GM rice can reduce the use of pesticides by over 80 percent and an increase in production by 6 to 9 percent. The tests are a final step before China decides on the commercial release of the GM rice.
Two strains of rice were altered to resist attack of two insects, rice stem borer and leaf rollers. They were tested during years of regulatory trials. The tests in China measured food safety, growth effectiveness, and environmental impact. But the recent trials were the first to document the impact of genetically modified rice at the individual farm level.
Farmers typically apply pesticides to combat rice stem borers and leaf rollers only if inspections show crops are infested. During the study farmers used smaller amounts pesticide because they saw less need. As a result, farmers' pesticide exposure dropped, and their health improved.
Pesticide exposure-related illness is a major problem in the agricultural communities of developing nations, including India. Awareness and safety procedures lag far behind those in more developed economies. Manual labour is also more widespread, and, as a result, human-crop interactions occur much more closely and often.
As per Dr.Huang, Director of the Centre of Chinese Agriculture Policy, "Annually more than 50,000 farmers are poisoned in farm fields, of which some 400 to 500 die,"
U S Grains Council completes its first training course on Poultry Meat InspectionDr.David Shapiro and Dr.P T Wang were the lead resources for the Poultry Meat Inspection Training Course, organized by the Council at Bombay Veterinary College from April 24 – 29, 2005. The group included officers of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India and the plant managers of the major poultry processors. The GOI officers are responsible for the inspection of value added products and administer Meat Food Products order of 1973 (MFPO of 1973). The current order or any other order does not cover raw, chilled, frozen chicken meat.
The topics covered included GMP & GHP requirements and HACCP for poultry meat. Also topics on inspection system, what to inspect, food safety, transport etc were covered in detail. The group also visited the traditional street markets in Bombay, where chicken was being slaughtered to see the condition of meat and also visited a HACCP certified slaughter facility of Godrej Agrovet Limited to compare the two. The group also visited the facility of Vesta Foods Limited, sole suppliers to McDonalds for their chicken and vegetable value added products.
The Indian poultry industry is currently growing at 12 – 13 percent per annum, and can grow much faster if the processing industry gets a boost from the government and the products get a seal of inspection so as the consumer is confident about the product that is available.
Major recommendations that emerged from the discussions included:
1. Government of India, Private Sector companies and NGO’s need to work together to create awareness about hygienic chicken slaughter practices.
2. MFPO to include raw, chilled and frozen chicken in its definition of products and register the poultry processing plants.
3. Municipal corporations of the four metropolitan cities and other major cities be encouraged to stop street slaughter in a phased manner and private sector be encouraged to invest in setting up slaughter facilities and cold chain infrastructure fir storage, supply and sale of chicken and chicken products to the consumers.
It is vital that some sort of inspection system, may be random check be initiated which will be better that the current ‘no inspection system’. It is also vital that the wet markets are regulated and follow a system. The long term goal should be to supply safest meat to the consumers.
The Council will plan a second training course for the remaining officers in July 2005 and by that time it is expected that the MFPO will be amended to include the chilled and frozen chicken in the list of products and the registration of the plants would start.
Amit Sachdev
Representative
U S Grains Council, India
bluecross303@gmail.com
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