(CIA.gov)

Brazil’s female farmers occupy government offices

Rio de Janeiro | Thomson Reuters Foundation — Hundreds of female farmers in Brazil occupied rural government offices on Wednesday in protest against austerity plans which they say disproportionately impact poor women. Protesters who marched across several cities on International Women’s Day said pension reforms and other changes to social security will make it harder […] Read more




(Lisa Guenther photo)

U.S. grains: Corn, soy, wheat recover from early dips

Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. corn, soybean and wheat futures all closed modestly higher on Friday, recovering from early weakness on a mild round of technical buying. All three commodities posted weekly gains but an ample supply base and rising export competition kept a bearish tone over the marketplace and checked Friday’s strength. Additionally, investors […] Read more


A ship at Brazil’s Port of Santos.(Portosdobrasil.gov.br via Flickr)

Soy loadings delayed at Brazil northern ports

Brasilia | Reuters — At least 11 ships are facing delays in loading soybeans at Brazil’s northern ports after rains washed out roads and disrupted the progress of trucks carrying beans from the centre-west region, Brazilian officials said on Thursday. Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said some commodities traders could have problems fulfilling soy export contracts […] Read more

(Photo courtesy United Soybean Board)

U.S. grains: Soybeans sag on profit-taking, Brazilian crop

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell on Thursday, pressured by the ongoing harvest of a projected record-large crop in Brazil and profit-taking after a two-session climb attributed to fund buying, traders said. Corn futures and wheat futures closed lower, tracking broad declines in commodities. The 19-market Thomson Reuters CoreCommodity CRB Index fell nearly […] Read more