U.S. grain and soybean futures slid sharply on Monday along with many other commodities as disappointing economic growth in China triggered selling, with Chicago wheat falling the most in two weeks. Commodity markets were rattled by official data showing that economic growth in China slowed in the first three months of 2013 to 7.7 per […] Read more
U.S. grains fall as China growth slows
Prairie floods seen crimping fertilizer flow to farms
Fertilizer makers may be hard-pressed this spring to move their yield-boosting products to western Canadian farmers during a shortened planting season, as the potential for major flooding grows. Cold weather has delayed the melt of heavy snowpack in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, raising the risk that floods in late April and May will keep farmers […] Read more
Livestock origin a sticking point in Canada/EU trade talks
Rules on recognizing the origin of cattle and pigs slaughtered in Canada are one of the sticking points in free-trade talks with the European Union, Canada’s chief agriculture negotiator said Wednesday. Canada hopes to win greater access for its beef and pork in Europe, while the EU wants a foothold in Canada’s protected agriculture sectors, […] Read more
China complains about Canadian wheat’s gluten strength
China’s state-owned agricultural trading company, Cofco, has complained about the poor baking performance of some Canadian spring wheat shipments and has suggested it may import more U.S. wheat instead, Canadian industry officials say. Cofco raised concerns about weak gluten strength in some Canadian wheat shipments last month with a visiting delegation from the Canadian International […] Read more
U.S. corn takes biggest two-day fall since 1996
Chicago corn tumbled to its biggest two-day drop since mid-1996, touching the lowest price in nine months, as larger-than-expected U.S. stockpiles weighed down the market. Pressured by corn, Chicago wheat also registered its lowest nearby price in nine months, and soybeans touched a nearly three-month low. Chicago Board of Trade May corn fell 53 cents […] Read more
U.S.-bound Ont. corn seen over million-tonne mark
Canadian corn is flowing to U.S. ethanol plants and feed suppliers in larger than usual volumes, with up to one million tonnes expected in 2012-13, as a large Ontario crop backfills demand after last year’s severe U.S. drought. Canada is normally a net importer of corn, feeding Eastern Canada’s pigs and poultry and supplying Ontario […] Read more
Canola exports fall as price soars
Canadian exports of canola, a key source of vegetable oil, have fallen sharply as the crop becomes too expensive for importers after a disappointing harvest. Canada, the biggest exporter of canola, has shipped about 4.7 million tonnes of canola in 2012/13 through March 3, down 17 per cent from the year-ago pace, according to the […] Read more
Potash juniors look to importers for cash injections
Undeveloped Canadian potash projects are drawing investment from a new and unexpected source, as buyers of the crop nutrient in India cross over to the industry’s supply side. The strong interest by Indian fertilizer companies in equity stakes and agreements to take a certain percentage of a supplier’s production is a welcome development for junior […] Read more
MGEX seen as early winner in fight for Prairie wheat
Seven months after the Canadian Wheat Board’s 69-year-old marketing monopoly ended and Western Canada’s wheat went up for grabs, much of the risk business associated with buying and selling it has fallen to the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. The Wheat Board, which was one of the world’s biggest grain marketers, hedged much of the price risk […] Read more
PotashCorp wants to buy ICL despite obstacles
Fertilizer producer PotashCorp says it is determined to buy most, if not all, of ICL Israel Chemicals Ltd. and that stiff local opposition to such a takeover is based on unfounded fears. Saskatoon-based PotashCorp, the world’s largest producer by capacity of its namesake crop nutrient, aims to boost its 14 per cent stake in ICL […] Read more
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