Asia Rice Production, Trade and Policies.

As expect China holds rice stocks enough for more than 3 months consumption or more than 40 million tonne, mainly of early-season or long-grain rice, while most people prefer Japonica rice

INDIA

* OUTPUT:

The government has fixed a target to produce102 million tonne of rice in the crop year to June 2011. The worst drought in nearly four decades reduced output to89.13 million tonne in 2009-10, down 10.13% year-on-year.

* CURBS:

In 2008, India banned exports of common grades of rice, joining other leading Asian producers in their protectionist measures to bolster domestic supplies.

Some traders and analysts say India, the world's second-biggest rice producer, is unlikely to lift curbs on rice exports despite bulging stocks. On December 1, rice stocks were at 22.9 million tonne, substantially higher than a target of 5.2 million tonne. The country does not allow exports of common grades of rice.

The country also fixed a floor price of $900 per tonne for exports of aromatic premium basmati rice, exclusively grown by India and Pakistan in northern parts. But the government has been allowing some exports to neighbouring countries, such as Bangladesh, through diplomatic deals.

* CURRENT STOCK:

On December 1, rice stocks at government warehouses were at 22.9 million tonne, substantially higher than a target of 5.2 million tonne.

PAKISTAN

Pakistan's top rice export body, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), said in November it aims to export 4 million tonne in fiscal year 2010-11.

* OUTPUT:

Food ministry officials estimate the output at 5 million tonne. But REAP dispute government's estimates for the next 2010-11 crop, whose harvesting is almost completed.The government in September estimated losses of up to 2 million tonne from the August floods.

Rice exports in July-October 2010 rose by 17.26 % to 1.1 million tonne, compared with 940,838 tonne in the same period last year

* PRICES:

Data compiled by REAP show that Pakistan's super basmati export price averaged $815 per tonne, FOB, during the first six months of fiscal 2010-2011.

BANGLADESH

The world's fourth-largest rice producer, produces 34 million tonne of rice a year but often imports large volumes to overcome shortages caused by natural disasters.

* IMPORT:

The government plans to import 1.5-1.8 million tonne of wheat and rice in the year to June 2011, against nearly 550,000 tonne in the previous year, at increasingly high costs, to ensure food security.

Reflecting rising prices, Bangladesh will import 250,000 tonne of rice from Vietnam at a high cost in a bid to ensure food security, a senior food official said.

Bangladesh recently sealed a deal with Vietnam to import 250,000 tonne of 15% broken rice for shipments in January and February.

Bangladesh has reserves of 830,000 tonne of foodgrain.

Bangladesh has no plan at the moment to export rice.

MALAYSIA

For 2010, production is seen at 1.5 million tonne (down 5.7%), and imports at 1.02 million tonne (down 4.7%), based on government estimates.

* MAIN POLICIES

Malaysia will continue to maintain a rice stockpile of 292,000 tonne. The government plans to swap palm oil cargoes for rice shipments.

Although the government has not singled out any rice-producing country, traders say Thailand will be a natural choice. Malaysia will also focus on increasing yields as there is a shortage of agricultural land in the Southeast Asian country.

Source : news.in.msn.com