Global cereal production in 2021 is forecast to reach 2 788 million tonnes, up by 0.7 percent from the year before but below July’s expectations, according to FAO’s new Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, also released today.

Export prices of Thai hom mali rice are now quoted at $700 per tonne, down from $800-900 per tonne at the beginning of this year.

The new quality specification fixed by the central government for the procurement of paddy has irked rice millers and farmers in Punjab.

“Other than rice, which is the biggest product we import from Pakistan, Rwandan importers will be facilitated to import textiles, agriculture machinery, and surgical instruments, among others, from Pakistan,” he added.

ndia’s farmers, despite their ability to produce way beyond the nation’s needs, are struggling to make ends met due to the lack of a decent export turnover.

The nature of exports has also been a worrying issue. Despite the addition of numerous manufactured products to the mix, raw materials and intermediates continue to take a disproportionately large share of the export basket. Iron ore as well as iron and steel exports have risen significantly this year, with the bulk of supplies going to China.

The Thai Rice Exporters Association president Charoen Laothammatas said exports began looking up after mid-year, with 419,578 tons, valued at 7.47 billion baht, being exported in July, up 7.6% and 4.9% respectively compared to June.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa introduces emergency regulations to control prices of essential food items as private banks run out of foreign exchange to finance imports.

Ghana Rice Millers Association stressed it is only beneficial to a select few of rice importers.

Kenya and Pakistan have ended a long-standing tariff war that hurt trade between the two countries, mainly Kenyan tea exports.