Monday 23 March, 2009
Rabi Mustard Crop India 2009 Around 65.5 Lakh Ton + 1.5 Lakh Ton Toria
Friday 20 March, 2009
EDIBLE OIL INDUSTRY WANTS REIMPOSITION OF CUSTOMS DUTY ON EDIBLE OILS AND INCREASE IN MSP OF OILSEEDS
COOIT will be organising the 30th All India Seminar on Rabi Oilseeds Crop, to be jointly hosted by Delhi Vegetable Oil Traders Association and Rajdhani Vegetable Oil Suppliers Association, on Sunday the 22nd March, 2009 at Air Force Auditorium, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi। The seminar will be attended by about 1000 delegates from all over India and abroad. The primary objective of the seminar is to finalise crop estimates of rabi oilseeds. In addition, the delegates also discuss Crop prospects, demand and supply situation of edible oils, price outlook, foreign trade, government policies etc.
We are starting the current year with a healthy sign marked by substantial increase in Kharif oilseed production and from all accounts, it looks that rabi oilseeds production will also be much higher as compared to previous year, mainly contributed by rapeseed/mustard।
Inspite of the higher indigenous availability of edible oils, we have seen a record import and it is estimated that in the current oil-year, imports may be over 7 million tonnes, which would be a record of sorts। The main reason for such surge in imports is the zero duty on crude oils (excluding soybean which has a 20% duty) and a very low 7.5% duty on refined oils.
Last year, the edible oil prices globally had reached a record high and on 1st April, 2008, the Government fully exempted all crude edible oils from customs duty। That was then and it may have had some justification, as a short term measure. But when the prices fell worldwide by over 50%, the situation called for an immediate review and reimposition of duty. Unfortunately, while 20% duty was levied on soybean oil in November, 2008, palm oil, which constitutes about 80% of total imports, was left at nil duty. Inspite of repeated requests from almost all quarters of the industry and trade as well as the farmers, the duty continues to be nil. This has not only resulted in record imports but also a substantial drop in the oilseed prices which the farmers are now getting, as compared to last two years.
With rising population and per capita consumption, we are seriously worried about the edible oil economy of the country, if the Government continues to pursue the short sighted policy of allowing zero duty imports and takes decisions more for political considerations and electoral gains rather than based on sound economic logic and in the long term interest of the farmers and the country as a whole। We only hope that the next Government will initiate policy measures for long term growth of edible oil sector, by ensuring remunerative returns to the millions of oilseed farmers.
Both P।M. Man Mohan Singh and the renowned Dr. Swaminathan have been repeatedly stressing the need for a second Green Resolution with focus on oilseeds and pulses. Putting a judicious cap on imports would be desirable in this context as well. India cannot afford a further increase in edible oil imports percentage, which is currently above 40% of our requirement.
COOIT’S INITIATIVE:So concerned are we about the stagnant oilseed production and the ever increasing gap between demand and supply that two year ago, we decided to involve COOIT directly in increasing oilseed productivity and act as a catalyst and an interface between the framers, the scientists, the input suppliers and other stake holders। We requested and were allotted to hold 100 front line demonstrations for rapeseed/mustard last year. These have brought in excellent results. The experience of dealing directly with farmers was an eye-opener; we gained firsthand knowledge of their problems, their way of thinking and learned about the bottlenecks and hurdles in the way of increasing production. Buoyed by the enthusiasm of the farmers and other stake-holders, we plan to double the number of Front Line Demonstrations this year and also include two other oilseed crops in our programme, namely, groundnut and sunflower.
We are also in the process of preparing a more ambitious time-bound plan of action for the next five years, for submission to the Ministry of Agriculture, which aims at increasing average productivity of oilseeds from the current one tonne per hectare to at least 1।3 tonnes per hectare.
CREATE AN OILSEED DEVELOPMENT FUND :The Government needs to realise sooner than later that immediate focus is required on increasing oilseed productivity and for this reason, we have suggested creation of an OILSEED DEVELOPMENT FUND, by putting aside at least 30% (about Rs। 3000 crores) of the customs duty collected from imports of edible oils and use the money for time bound programme to raise oilseed productivity from the present average of 1000 Kgs per hectare to at least 1300 Kgs per hectare. This is an achievable task, as has been demonstrated by Indian agriculture scientists who have got yields which are higher by 50% than the national average, by using improved technology, balanced and timely use of fertilizers and other measures.
MSP AND CUSTOMS DUTY:Currently, the edible oil prices, the import duties and MSP fixed by the Government, are looked at in isolation। Actually, these are inter-twined and have to be considered together. At zero import duty and low international edible oil prices, the domestic industry is bound to offer lower prices to farmers, to compete with imported oils. On the other hand, when international prices are high, the Indian farmer is bound to get better prices, as the industry can afford it. In between are the consumers and the Government's concerns for inflation. Time and again, we have said that edible oils do not contribute to rising inflation and the consumer must pay a reasonable price. The sole purpose of fixing MSP is to ensure that the farmer gets a remunerative return. Here again, the oilseed growers have always been at a disadvantage, vis-a-vis other food crops. Last year wheat MSP was raised by 33% while this year, the rapeseed/mustard MSP has got an increase of only Rs. 30 or a paltry 1.5%. The farmer of this principal oilseed crop feels short-charged, with low MSP and zero duty imports.
It is fortunate that for the past several years, the oilseed prices have always been higher than MSP, because of higher world prices and a rational customs duty structure। But with zero duty, this may no longer remain true. We feel that MSP of oilseeds should be fixed at a level that the farmer gets the same return from growing oilseeds as he does from other crops such as wheat or rice.
To summarise, COOIT suggests immediate action on following points, to save India’s oilseed economy from disaster and the farmers from having to sell at unremunerative prices :
1. Immediately create an Oilseed Development Fund by earmarking a part of the customs duty collected from imports of edible oils and this fund should be used exclusively for increasing oilseed production in the country, with a mission-like approach and a time-bound programme with set goals and objectives.2. Government could usefully examine the promising scope that exists in the southern coastal areas for increasing Oil Palm plantation keeping in view our increasing requirements for per capita edible oil consumption.3. Looking at the success of industry-state joint demonstrations in Rajasthan & U.P., for rapeseed/mustard we invite the central and state governments to allocate more funds and take more active participative interests in such demonstrations in different parts of the country covering all major oilseeds.4. The industry is willing to make suitable investments in agriculture sector and increasing oilseed productivity. However, some indirect incentives should be allowed to the industry. One way of doing this is to allow higher tax deduction on amounts directly invested in agriculture activities.5. Edible oils and oilseeds are subjected to VAT at different rates in different states. Being an essential item of daily diet, edible oils and oilseeds should be treated at par with other food items such as wheat, rice, sugar etc. We have time and again requested the state governments and the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers to exempt our trade and industry from VAT. We hope this just request would be considered favourably and exemption from VAT will be given to this sector soon.
Thursday 19 February, 2009
Oil futures jumped 14% Thursday to end near $40 a barrel
Saturday 13 December, 2008
Rabi Chana and Lentil acreage up, Tur fresh crop arrival started in Karnataka & Maharashtra
Peas prices mostly remained on the softer side during the period on subdued trade. Good stocks and huge imports weighing on prices. Reportedly, around 1,00,000 tonnes yellow/white and about 15,000 tonnes Dun peas lying at Tuticorin. Sluggish demand for chana and its product further kept peas prices under check. Higher acreage in current Rabi season also added weakness. Green peas prices mostly remained stable. However, as the importers are not having enough funds due to current financial crisis, they may liquidate their stocks which may pressure prices. In near to medium term yellow peas prices may dip on continuous supply against subdued demand. However, any improvement in chana and its products may lend support to peas prices. Majority of urad cash markets featured steady sentiment on subdued trade and tight supply following lower production in the Kharif season. Reportedly millers are buying hand to mouth amid poor offtake in processed urad (dal) which kept prices under check besides regular huge import. However, lower availability of good quality urad lent support to the prices to some extent. Meanwhile, during the current Rabi season urad acreage declined slightly as farmers are mostly diverting their fields for chana and other important Rabi crops. This shows once again the output may be lower, which may boost the prices. But govt. intervention to keep prices at lower side may cap the gains as govt. is contemplating a proposal to import more pulses to overcome the deficit.
A steady tone also featured in key Tur cash markets during the period amidst subdued trade and tight supply. Tightening supply following lower stocks as well as expectation of lower production due to lower acreage supporting the sentiment besides. However, restricted offtake from millers/processors following dull demand for its product (dal). Meanwhile, new tur arrival started in Karnataka and AP markets and about 1000-1300 bags new tur arrivals reported on a daily basis. But due to higher moisture and inferior quality (baarik) millers are mostly buying the old one thus, fetching premium. Furthermore, the preliminary trade estimate shows that the tur output would be only 65-70 per cent of the last year (26 lakh tonnes), which hints for a lower crop once again and may boost the prices. But the govt. intervention to keep prices at lower side may cap the gains. Also govt. is considering a proposal to import more pulses to overcome the deficit. A steady to weak sentiment featured in Masoor key cash markets on dull trade despite tight supply. Higher acreage in current Rabi season is weighing on prices, while poor availability following lower stocks is supporting the sentiment. As of December 4, 2008 the Masoor acreage has grown considerably by 17.3 per cent to 1.24 million hectares compared to 1 million hectares in corresponding period last year.
Moong prices mostly remained stable at majority of cash markets on subdued trading activity. Reportedly tightening supply following lower stocks as well as mild buying from millers supported the sentiment. Meanwhile, any decline in prices may attract stockists. International moong prices softened considerably. But higher parity due to currency devaluation kept imports restricted. According to the November crop production release of Statistics Canada shows that farmers harvested record dry field peas. Prairie farmers harvested a record amount of field peas. The production of field peas reached 3.6 million tonnes, up 21.7% from 2.9 million tonnes in 2007. Robust yield and record harvest area combined to produce this record. Production rose in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Production in Saskatchewan was a record 2.7 million tonnes, and production in Alberta was a record 7,31,400 tonnes. Statistics Canada also slashed chickpea (chana) estimate in its latest crop report. It slashed the current year’s chickpea harvest estimate from 129000 to 81000 MT. Production in Saskatchewan pegged at 67,000 MT, while output in Alberta totaled 14,000 MT. Canada’s 2008-09 available supply of chickpeas totaled at 178000 MT, down from 239800 MT last season. Field pea exports from Canada continued to remain weak during the month of November and as per the Canadian Ports Clearance Association, figures falling to their second lowest level of the past eight years. The clearance at terminals totaled at 66,609 MT compared to 1,96,436 MT during November 2007. However, exports for December are of to a better start. About four vessels are expected to lift 1,00,420 MT of field peas. In December 2007, seven vessels were loaded with 97,022 MT. Canadian, bulk field pea exports normally experience seasonal slow down at the start of New Year due to direct competition from newly harvested Dun peas in Australia. However, this was not an issue as 2008 got underway.
Sunday 23 November, 2008
India’s pepper crop in 2008 is estimated to be around 40,000 metric tons
TECHNICALS:Overall trend for the spice continuous to remain weak with the long term EMA’s suggesting weakness। Positive nature of MACD and prices closing slightly above the EMA’s is also leaving room for positive move in prices. Rising RSI along with formation of hollow candlestick suggests steady to firm opening. Hence going long on corrective dips with caution is likely to remain strategy for intraday outlook.
Isolated rain/thundershower is likely at a few places over Kerala, which is favorable for the crop at the growing stage.
Saturday 25 October, 2008
Friday 19 September, 2008
चीनी उत्पादन में गिरावट आने की आशंका
भारतीय बासमती का निर्यात घटने की आशंका
नई दिल्ली : भारतीय बासमती पर निर्यात कर लगने की वजह से इसे दूसरे देशों में बेचना महंगा पड़ रहा है। भारतीय बासमती को विदेशी बाजारों में पाकिस्तानी चावल से कड़ी टक्कर मिल रही है। इन हालात में भारतीय बासमती का निर्यात घटने की आशंका बढ़ गई है। भारत के सबसे बड़े बासमती चावल निर्यातक टिल्डा राइसलैंड के डायरेक्टर आर एस शेषाद्री ने बताया, 'दोनों देशों के प्रीमियम चावल की कीमतों में करीब 500 डॉलर प्रति टन का फर्क आ गया है। जब निर्यात बाजार में चावल की कीमतों में 500 डॉलर प्रति टन का अंतर हो तो कोई विदेशी खरीदार भारतीय चावल क्यों खरीदेगा। दोनों देशों के चावल की कीमतों में यह अंतर पिछले दो महीनों से है।' शेषाद्री ने कहा कि आमतौर पर नई फसल के बाद अक्टूबर में नए निर्यात कॉन्ट्रैक्ट होते हैं। मध्य पूर्व देशों को निर्यात होने वाले भारतीय बासमती चावल की औसतन कीमत 1400 डॉलर प्रति टन है। सरकार ने इस साल की शुरुआत में सुगंधित बासमती चावल के निर्यात पर करीब 200 डॉलर प्रति टन का टैक्स लगा दिया था।प्रीमियम किस्म के चावल का निर्यात मूल्य 1200 डॉलर प्रति टन है। शेषाद्री ने बताया, '200 डॉलर का निर्यात कर का फायदा न तो किसानों को मिलता है और न ही व्यापारियों को।' नई फसल एक से दो महीने के भीतर आने वाली है। उन्होंने कहा कि अक्टूबर या नवंबर में भारतीय निर्यातकों को जब नुकसान होने लगेगा और कॉन्टैक्ट हासिल नहीं होंगे, तब सरकार निर्यात कर को वापस लेने के लिए मजबूर होगी। शेषाद्री ने बताया, 'सरकार के कदम उठाने तक तो ज्यादातर किसान अपनी उपज का बड़ा हिस्सा सस्ती दरों पर बेच चुके होंगे। निजी खरीदार करों के बोझ से बचने के लिए किसानों से सस्ती दरों पर फसल खरीदेंगे।'_ET