Covantis developers said they met with industry stakeholders in Brazil in October to discuss how their system would apply in soybean traffic between Brazil and China. (Covantis.io)

Major grain traders’ e-transaction platform gets name

Reading Time: 2 minutes The blockchain-based global commodity transaction platform being developed by six of the world’s biggest agrifood firms is moving ahead with a new name and project leader. The six companies — ADM, Bunge, Cargill, Louis Dreyfus, Cofco and Glencore Agriculture — announced Wednesday the project will be named Covantis, and have hired former ADM executive Stefano […] Read more

A cargo ship is loaded with Brazilian soybeans bound for China. (Photo: Reuters/Paulo Whitaker)

Trump, citing U.S. farmers, slaps metal tariffs on Brazil, Argentina

Reading Time: 3 minutes Washington/Rio de Janeiro | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump ambushed Brazil and Argentina on Monday, announcing tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum imports from the two countries in a measure that shocked South American officials and left them scrambling for answers. In an early morning tweet, Trump said the tariffs, “effective immediately,” were necessary […] Read more


CBOT March 2020 corn with 10-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn futures firm on technical buying

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures firmed on Monday, edging up to their highest in nearly a month on a round of technical buying despite signs of poor demand, traders said. Soybean futures fell, with traders waiting for concrete signs of progress in trade negotiations between the U.S. and China before buying into a […] Read more

CBOT January 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soy futures fall to two-month low

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures slid to a two-month low on Wednesday on technical selling and expectations that increased rains will benefit crops in rival shipper South America. Corn and wheat futures also fell as traders adjusted positions ahead of Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday, when U.S. markets will close. The markets will reopen for […] Read more



CBOT January 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soy falls below US$9 on South America weather, trade doubts

Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. nearby soybean futures closed below $9 a bushel on Friday for the first time since September, pressured by improving crop weather in South America and fears that an initial U.S.-China trade deal could be pushed back to next year, analysts said. Wheat futures ended higher, while corn settled narrowly mixed. […] Read more


Smoke billows during a fire in an area of the Amazon rainforest near Humaita, Amazonas State, Brazil on Aug. 14, 2019. (Photo: Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino)

Brazil Amazon deforestation soars to 11-year high

Reading Time: 3 minutes Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil | Reuters — Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest rose to its highest in over a decade this year, government data on Monday showed, confirming a sharp increase under the leadership of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. The data from Brazil’s INPE space research agency, which showed deforestation soaring 29.5 per cent […] Read more

Five pork, five beef and three poultry plants will be built to help supply China’s appetite for meat.  Photo: iStock/Getty Images

Brazil gets approval for 13 meatpacking plants for China exports

Reading Time: 2 minutes Sao Paulo | Brazil | Reuters – Chinese authorities approved new Brazilian meat exporting plants on Tuesday, according to the Brazilian agriculture ministry, a highly anticipated move as the two nations continue to strengthen trade ties. The approvals come as China seeks to increase meat imports to compensate for the death of around half of […] Read more


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Brazil farmers push traders to end Amazon soy moratorium

Reading Time: 2 minutes Sao Paulo | Reuters – Brazilian farmers plan to start a campaign next week to end a ban by trading firms on buying soybeans from parts of the Amazon rainforest cleared after 2008, leaders from a major farmer group told Reuters, citing support from President Jair Bolsonaro. The push to end traders’ voluntary “soy moratorium” — one […] Read more

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CBOT weekly outlook: Corn, soy prices to continue climbing

Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Prices on the Chicago Board of Trade will probably continue to climb, especially for corn and soybeans, according to Scott Capinegro of Barrington Commodities. “The basis remains strong and when the basis is strong, as far as I am concerned, that means the futures should be strong,” he said. Although CBOT bids have […] Read more