the rice association in support of the uk rice sector uk rice...the uk rice market is still growing...
TRANSCRIPT
The Rice Association in support
of the UK rice sector
Alex Waugh
Origins of UK rice imports –
70%+ from outside EU
milled
husked
The UK rice market is still
growing
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husked milled broken
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husked milled broken
Parboiled growth stalled in
2012, but picking up again
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Parboiled
Regular
There was an explosion in
the number of importers
• UK trade statistics
reveal that the number
of businesses importing
rice doubled in five
years to 2011
• Decline since suggests
greater maturity in
market. Most new
entrants traded small
quantities and
infrequently
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Importers
Long Term Growth for Rice
in UK Diets
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1974
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Rice Potatoes
Pasta Bread
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Rice Pasta
Role of Rice Association
• Encourage confidence in the sector by:
– Heading off technical problems
– Addressing concerns about authenticity
Changing Rules on Food
Contaminants
• Rice Association provides information to UK
and EU authorities on presence in rice. eg
mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticide
residues
• Analysis to determine the effects of
processing.
• Discussion on achievable limits – because
without them trade will be severely
hampered
The diversity in branding....
....can encourage confusion
• Contrast the limited range of brands in multiple
retailers with the diversity in the cash and carry
market.
• Instead rice is often differentiated by type and
price, eg: basmati (premium); long grain
(regular) risotto (specialist);
• This encourages labelling of rice as “basmati”
in order to attract a premium
So what are we doing?
• RA intent on maintaining integrity of
basmati brand, for the benefit of all
• Latest survey data suggests that matters
have improved in last ten years, but
there are still occasional problems.
Recent activity aimed at improving
authenticity of basmati on market
• RA survey of control system operated by retail basmati
sellers (Jul 2009)
• RA targeted analytical survey of retail products (Nov
2009, July 2012, July 2014)
• FSA imported food survey (autumn 2009)
• FSA inclusion of basmati analysis in FAPAS
programme (Jan 2010)
• HMRC checks on accuracy of import declarations and
duty payment (Nov 2009 – Mar 2011)
• EU Commission agreement of 5% threshold for non-
basmati on import
2014 Basmati Survey
Results
• 69 Samples tested
• All RA Member brands were authentic
• 6 tests (4 companies) showed
unacceptable levels of non-basmati
• 2 companies have either removed
product from market or re-labelled it
• Tests on new batches from other 2
companies have been acceptable
Encouraging Market
Development
• Working with FERM to develop new rice
promotion platform
• Aim is to encourage consumption of rice
amongst those who consume only
moderate amounts
• Competing products are pasta and
potatoes