Uttar Pradesh Oct 1-May 15 sugar output 8.74 million tonne, up 28.4% on year.

Mills across Uttar Pradesh produced 8.74 million tonne sugar during Oct 1-May 15, up 28.4% on year. Total sugar production by mills in Uttar Pradesh in the year-ago period was 6.81 million tonne. Mills in the state have crushed 82.36 million tonne cane so far, compared with 64.18 million tonne in the year-ago period. Average sugar recovery in Uttar Pradesh was at 10.6%, unchanged on year. With five mills in Uttar Pradesh still operating, market participants expect sugar output in the state this season to touch an all-time high of 8.75 million tonne, surpassing the previous high of 8.47 million tonne in 2006-07. Mills, which are still running, are likely to wind up crushing operations by next week.

India Sugar prices flat in key markets, seen bullish near term.

Prices of sugar were unchanged in key wholesale markets of Mumbai and Delhi today in thin trade. Sugar prices had risen last week in spot markets of north India due to increase in retail demand because the wedding season. Prices are seen falling in north India due to higher-than-expected sugar output in Uttar Pradesh. Mills in Uttar Pradesh produced 8.74 mln tn sugar during Oct 1-May 15, up 28.4% on year the most-active May contract was up 0.5%. Prices of sugar are seen up in the near term as demand for the commodity is likely to rise ahead of Ramzan. On NCDEX, the most active July contract of sugar was down 0.2% from previous close.

Tamil Nadu year to Sep 2018 sugar output seen down 45% at 600,000 tonne.

Sugar output in Tamil Nadu is seen falling more than 45% to 600,000 tonne in 2017-18 (Oct-Sep) from an estimated 1.1 million tonne this year. Last year, mills in the state had produced 1.37 million tonne of sugar. Sugar output next season is seen declining because of successive years of meagre rainfall in the state and a drop-in cane acreage. Tamil Nadu received 62% below-normal rainfall during the key northeast monsoon season in Oct-Dec. Back-to-back years of deficit rainfall and a severe drought this year have also dragged groundwater to abysmally low levels in the state. The state has a capacity to produce around 3 million tonne sugar annually.

MCX cotton up 1% on firm demand in spot markets.

Futures contracts of cotton rose nearly 1% on the MCX because of higher demand in the spot markets, and tracking benchmark contracts on the ICE. May contract of cotton on the MCX traded up 0.8% from the previous close. The June contract also traded 0.7% higher at 21,390 rupees. On the ICE, the most-active July contract traded at 77.53 cents per pound. However, prospects of a higher acreage for cotton, amid reports of an early onset of the southwest monsoon in India, prevented any further rise in prices.

NCDEX Friday marks 5,150 tonne cotton oilcake for staggered delivery May.

The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange on Friday marked 5,150 tonne cottonseed oilcake, and 1,700 tonne mustard seed for staggered delivery in the May contract. The May derivative series will expire on May 19, Under the staggered delivery mechanism, sellers can indicate intention of delivery to the exchange during the tender period, which is 10 days before the contract expires.

NCDEX coriander hits 3% lower cap on weak demand.

Futures contracts of coriander hit their 3% lower circuit on the NCDEX because of subdued demand from overseas buyers and the spice industry. A rise in arrivals also weighed on the prices. The most active June contract was down 3% on the NCDEX. Arrivals in Kota, the benchmark market, were at 13,000 bags (1bag=40kg) up from 10,000 bags on previous close. In Kota, the Badami variety and the Eagle variety both down 200 rupees from the previous trading day.

India rice unchanged in spot market.

Wholesale prices of rice were unchanged in major spot markets. The steam variety of basmati rice Pusa 1121 was sold at 6,800-6,900 rupees per 100 kg in Amritsar, while non-basmati variety Permal Raw sold for 2,900-3,000 rupees per 100 kg.

Bangladesh rice crisis imminent after poor harvest.

Agriculture Ministry estimates say the average per hectare Boro production in Bangladesh is about 4 tonnes. The nation’s food supply is likely to face a threat from the loss of Boro production in the current season from early flash-floods in the Haor wetlands, as well as pest attacks on paddy crops across the country. Rice prices are already unusually high and market insiders fear that the worst is yet to come. The government is now scrambling to make a quick response and has agreed the first rice imports for six years, ordering 600,000 tonnes.Government rice reserve came down to 262,000 tonnes on May 7. In May, last year the reserve was about 678,000 tonnes. Traders are also have very little rice in reserve.