Reading Time: 2 minutes LDC, one of the world's largest crop traders and processors whose competitors include ADM, Bunge and Cargill, said its core earnings (EBITDA) were $1.057 billion (C$1.434 billion) in the first six months of 2024, against $1.169 billion (C$1.586 billion) a year earlier.
Louis Dreyfus first half profit drops as grain supply swells
Strategie Grains cuts EU wheat crop forecast as harvesting starts
Reading Time: 2 minutes Paris | Reuters – Strategie Grains lowered its monthly forecast for this year’s soft wheat crop in the European Union, confirming its expectation for a four-year low in production as harvesting gets under way. The consultancy now sees 2024/25 soft wheat production in the 27-country bloc at 121.8 million metric tons, 1.7 million tons less […] Read more
France revamps pesticide reduction plan in wake of farmer unrest
Reading Time: < 1 minute Paris | Reuters – France unveiled on Monday a revised plan to halve pesticide use in the European Union’s biggest agricultural producer, pledging to adopt an EU indicator and boost research into alternatives in a nod to grievances voiced in farmer protests this year. Why it’s important Environmental regulation was one of the main factors […] Read more
Europe’s grain farms await rain break after damp winter
Weak prices for maize could encourage planting other crops
Reading Time: 2 minutes Grain growers in western Europe will need rain to ease this month to progress with spring planting, after a wet February maintained soggy field conditions that have already put the region on course for a smaller wheat harvest, analysts said.
France drops plan to decrease farmers’ diesel discount
Protests to continue on unanswered questions says farming union
Reading Time: 2 minutes The French government dropped plans to gradually reduce state subsidies on agricultural diesel but that seems not enough for angry farmers surrounding Paris and still threatening to converge on the capital in their tractors.
Explainer: Why are French farmers protesting?
Many farmers feeling pinched by costs, imports, environmental regulations and disregarded by French society
Reading Time: 2 minutes French farmers are blocking roads across the country to demand government action to address numerous grievances, as protests in the European Union's agricultural sector spread. Here are some of the issues that have prompted the growing protest movement and how the government could respond.
Richardson buys into European malt market
Winnipeg agrifood firm buys U.K.-based Anglia Maltings
Reading Time: 2 minutes Paris | Reuters — Canada’s biggest grain merchant Richardson International is entering the malt sector through the acquisition of U.K.-based Anglia Maltings Holdings (AMH), targeting rising demand for the beer and whisky ingredient, Richardson said on Friday without disclosing financial terms. Anglia Maltings operates seven malt facilities in the U.K., Poland, and Germany, with combined […] Read more
Morocco adjusts wheat import scheme in nod to Black Sea
Move could bump up competition among exporters
Reading Time: 2 minutes Rabat/Paris | Reuters — Morocco, a major cereal importer, has modified its wheat import subsidy scheme to make it easier for companies to bring in cargoes from the Black Sea region, an official at state grain agency ONICL said on Wednesday. The revision, also reported by traders, means that as of March importers are able […] Read more
EU cuts estimate of drought-hit maize crop, raises import outlook
Commission cuts soft wheat exports, raises imports
Reading Time: 2 minutes Paris | Reuters — The European Commission on Friday cut its estimate of this year’s drought-hit maize harvest in the European Union to a new 15-year low while again raising its projection for this season’s maize imports. European maize (corn) crops endured severe drought and several heatwaves during the crucial summer growth period. The Commission […] Read more
Grain exporters tap EU supplies as war shuts Ukraine ports
Reading Time: 2 minutes Hamburg/Paris | Reuters — Grain exporters are looking for alternative sources of wheat and corn as a Russian invasion cuts off Ukrainian supplies, with European Union producers Romania and France being used to cover some nearby loadings, traders said Friday. The conflict has rattled grain markets, with European wheat futures surging to a record high […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
