Maize prices remain stable
Maize prices were up slightly (1%) over last week, reaching Rs.7000 – 7200 per MT range at the market yard. The pieces are higher than last year by about 25%. GOI has estimated a higher Rabi crop this season to 2.8 MMT, higher than the last estimate of 2.3 MMT. The increased availability and a slower demand due to summer months my not allow the prices to go up significantly in the coming weeks.The demand for maize for the year 2006/07 is estimates at 14.15 MMT and is expected to go up to 14.54 MMT for the year 2007/08.
Pearl Millet (Bajra) prices went down further 4$ over last week, reaching Rs.6000 – 6200 per Mt range at the maret range. The prices are now abot 6% lower than maize, making it a good substitute to Maize. Layer farmers can use the coomodity at 5 – 7% rate in the rations. But pieces of Pearl Millet are still higher than last year by 3%.
Sorghum (Jowar) prices stumbled 3% over last week to Rs.8600 – 8700 per MT, but the prices remain higher than last year by 14% and also against maize by 23%.
Barley prices were also down by 2.4% over last week to Rs.6850 – 6900 per MT range in the markets. The prices are lower than last year by 5.3%.
Prices at CBOT have remained stable and similar to last week levels between $144 - 146 per MT. FOB values (US Gulf) were also similar to last week ranging from $158 - $162 for deliveries in July - Sept.
New products from corn
What can be made out of corn? Starch and other value added products, Ethanol to run cars and Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), to replace plastics.
Computer companies in Japan are all out to woo the consumers with green computers. The new products lines launched by some of the companies, Fujitsu, Sharp and Sakata, us PLA the corn-based polymer to make the computer casings. The products price is nor high as compared to normal casing products as per U S Grains Council, Japan Office. Comapanies like Fujitsu and Sharp have have policies that requie them to use Plant Based raw materials. The new technology also allows PLA to be blended with convential plastic to be used in home appliances. Companies like Sakata have also manufactured corn based ink, which along with the corn based package/film is bio-degradable.
A new product in the market under the brand “Earth First” PLA film manufactured by Plastic Suppliers Inc. using Nature Works polymer, can withstand a temp of 79 deg C, highest for any film in this category as per the company newsletter.
Taiwan has been using the PLA packs for packing eggs, sandwitches and other food products for some time now and it is time that the developing world should be able to use such products, which will benefit the environment in these countries. There are enough people in these countries who can afford to pay a price for such products.
Maize prices were up slightly (1%) over last week, reaching Rs.7000 – 7200 per MT range at the market yard. The pieces are higher than last year by about 25%. GOI has estimated a higher Rabi crop this season to 2.8 MMT, higher than the last estimate of 2.3 MMT. The increased availability and a slower demand due to summer months my not allow the prices to go up significantly in the coming weeks.The demand for maize for the year 2006/07 is estimates at 14.15 MMT and is expected to go up to 14.54 MMT for the year 2007/08.
Pearl Millet (Bajra) prices went down further 4$ over last week, reaching Rs.6000 – 6200 per Mt range at the maret range. The prices are now abot 6% lower than maize, making it a good substitute to Maize. Layer farmers can use the coomodity at 5 – 7% rate in the rations. But pieces of Pearl Millet are still higher than last year by 3%.
Sorghum (Jowar) prices stumbled 3% over last week to Rs.8600 – 8700 per MT, but the prices remain higher than last year by 14% and also against maize by 23%.
Barley prices were also down by 2.4% over last week to Rs.6850 – 6900 per MT range in the markets. The prices are lower than last year by 5.3%.
Prices at CBOT have remained stable and similar to last week levels between $144 - 146 per MT. FOB values (US Gulf) were also similar to last week ranging from $158 - $162 for deliveries in July - Sept.
New products from corn
What can be made out of corn? Starch and other value added products, Ethanol to run cars and Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), to replace plastics.
Computer companies in Japan are all out to woo the consumers with green computers. The new products lines launched by some of the companies, Fujitsu, Sharp and Sakata, us PLA the corn-based polymer to make the computer casings. The products price is nor high as compared to normal casing products as per U S Grains Council, Japan Office. Comapanies like Fujitsu and Sharp have have policies that requie them to use Plant Based raw materials. The new technology also allows PLA to be blended with convential plastic to be used in home appliances. Companies like Sakata have also manufactured corn based ink, which along with the corn based package/film is bio-degradable.
A new product in the market under the brand “Earth First” PLA film manufactured by Plastic Suppliers Inc. using Nature Works polymer, can withstand a temp of 79 deg C, highest for any film in this category as per the company newsletter.
Taiwan has been using the PLA packs for packing eggs, sandwitches and other food products for some time now and it is time that the developing world should be able to use such products, which will benefit the environment in these countries. There are enough people in these countries who can afford to pay a price for such products.
Amit Sachdev
Representative
U S Grains Council, India
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