Indonesia
Minister of Agriculture Claims Safe Rice Production (Mar 27)
The Minister of Agriculture claimed that the paddy or dry milled grain (GKG) and rice production increased. The production of dry milled rice or unhusked rice was 23.94M tonnes, an increase of 0.53%. Meanwhile, rice production increased by 0.56%, 13.79M tonnes. In 2023, the potential harvest area from January to April is 4.51M hectares, an increase of 2.13% compared to the same period in 2022.
Indonesia Plans to Import 2M Tons of Rice, an Opportunity for Vietnamese Businesses (Mar 28)
The Indonesian government has just decided to import 2M tons of rice in 2023, to stabilize prices and support food for people. The Trade Minister of Indonesia confirmed the plan to import an additional 2M tons of rice from now until December 2023. Previously, in December 2022, Indonesia started importing 500K tons of rice.
Price Increase of Rice (Mar 29)
In Indonesia, the price of rice remains expensive. The highest price on average in South Kalimantan was USD 1.17/kg (IDR 17.55K). In West Sumatra, rice stood at USD /kg (IDR 14.9K). On March 29, the Lower Quality II type rice was at USD 0.79 (IDR 11,850/kg), an increase of 0.42% compared to March 28 at USD 0.79/kg (IDR 11,800/kg).
Vietnam
Domestic Rice Market on March 27, Raw Rice Tends to Increase (Mar 27)
In Vietnam, the price of raw rice increased to USD 0.39/kg (VND 9.1K-9.15K/kg) and finished rice to USD 0.43/kg (VND 10.05K-10.15K/kg. Many localities entered the peak of the winter-spring rice harvest.
Rice Export Value of Vietnam Increased by More Than 30% (Mar 29)
In March 2023, exports were estimated at 900K tons, with values of USD 480M, accounting for the volume and value of rice exports in the first three months of 2023 to 1.79M tons and USD 952M. From January to March 2023, the average export price stood at USD 531/ton, an increase of 9.2% over the same period in 2022.
The Value of Vietnamese Rice Exports Increased Dramatically (Mar 30)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that in the first quarter, rice exports reached 1.79M tons, equivalent to USD 952M, a decrease of 19.3% in volume but an increase of 30.2% in value, compared to the same period in 2022.
Brazil
Rice Harvest Advances and Shows a Drop in Productivity (Mar 28)
In Brazil, several advances in rice harvest occurred in several regions. The rice harvest was favored by a drier climate, which allowed operation efficiency. In Rio Grande do Sul, the Fronteira Oeste region has been the most advanced in harvesting, with 50% of the area already harvested. However, the drought has caused significant losses in production. In the South region, the harvest is more delayed, with only 15% harvested, but the expectation is for better yields. In Santa Catarina, 63% of the sown area was harvested, while 25% of the crops matured.
Rains Limit Rice Harvest in Rio Grande Do Sul, Prices Remain Firm (Mar 29)
Rains have been limiting the progress of the rice harvest in Rio Grande do Sul. This scenario has resulted in a lower volume of cereals available for trading. Rice prices were stable throughout March, closing at USD 17.31/50 kg (BRL 87.13/50 kg) bag on March 28.
Italy
Drought Hits Rice Production in Italy (Mar 27)
Italy, the biggest rice producer in the European Union, will plant its smallest area for the crop in 23 years, as it faces a second year of drought, and around 211K hectares will be sown with rice in 2023. The 2023 estimate has decreased by 7.4K hectares from 2022 and 16K from 2021.
Mozambique
Mozambique Seeks Partnership in Brazil to Increase Rice Production (Mar 28)
Mozambique has a deficient rice production, needing to import for its internal consumption. Intending to reverse the scenario, the Mozambican delegation was in Brazil since March 27, seeking partnerships to increase production at a national level.