December 20, 2024 | 15:20 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Monday- 12:42, 09/10/2023

How do rising rice prices affect Asia?

(VAN) A collection of stories to catch up on a recent hot topic.

Prices of rice, a major staple for Asia, have soared over the past months due to floods, heat waves and other extreme weather conditions affecting the rice production, adding to the food inflation that has already hit households and businesses in the region. The world's top rice exporter, India's decision to ban exports of non-basmati white rice starting in July has also shocked the market.

How have rising rice prices affected the region? Here is a selection of stories on the latest developments.

Rising prices for imported rice in Malaysia have consumers flocking to cheaper locally grown products, squeezing the budgets of households that find it difficult to afford higher food prices. With local rice able to meet only 70% of domestic demand, the Malaysian government has begun implementing programs to increase local production.

The international rice market is classified as a "thin" market. The volume of exported rice represents only 11% of global production compared with the figure for wheat at 27%. Even India's rice exports comprise just 17% of its total production. The rice supply is harder to replace. If El Nino affects more rice production, it may trigger another round of worries about a global food shortage.

In early October, the Philippine government lifted the ceiling on rice prices, roughly a month after implementing limits to contain surging prices of the key food item. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, "We are taking other measures to help our farmers in terms of their equipment, their processing.

Rainfall has been weak across Thailand due to the effects of the El Nino phenomenon. With worries that extended drought will compromise agriculture, the country has launched rainmaking operations and taken other drought-fighting steps as it deals with a severe water shortage. It estimates that rice production will decline to 25.8 million tonnes for 2023-2024, down more than 3% from last season.

HD

(Nikkei Asia)

Environmentalists call for a revision of poultry welfare standards

Environmentalists call for a revision of poultry welfare standards

(VAN) Voice of Animals, a Russian NGO, has prepared amendments to the draft veterinary regulation in the poultry industry, which is scheduled to come into force on 1 August 2025.

Hunger in the Arab region reaches a new height as challenges intensify

Hunger in the Arab region reaches a new height as challenges intensify

(VAN) From the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa.

A year of change for the UK poultry industry

A year of change for the UK poultry industry

(VAN) A year of change for both the UK’s broiler and egg sectors is highlighted in this year’s Andersons annual Outlook report.

Incredible results of pairing solar panels with agriculture:'We were able to get more from the land'

Incredible results of pairing solar panels with agriculture:'We were able to get more from the land'

(VAN) Agriculture is a necessary part of human existence; on a global scale, unfortunately, it contributes to the climate crisis.

How the Amazon's 'Boiling River' foreshadows a warmer world

How the Amazon's 'Boiling River' foreshadows a warmer world

(VAN) The Boiling River regularly reaches 86oC - with drastic consequences for the surrounding rainforest.

UK farmers cause London gridlock in huge tractor protest

UK farmers cause London gridlock in huge tractor protest

(VAN) For the second time in a month, hundreds of UK farmers took to the streets of London in protest against Labour Party farm inheritance taxes, among other issues.

Farmers face £600m loss after second-worst harvest on record

Farmers face £600m loss after second-worst harvest on record

(VAN) Poor weather to blame for hampering ability to sow and damaging growing conditions.

Read more