Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn futures slumped on Monday to an eight-month low after the government announced that China canceled some purchases of U.S. supplies of the grain. The cancellations, which also weighed on wheat and soybean futures that hit one-month lows on Monday, highlighted concerns about weak demand for U.S. […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn hits eight-month low
Soybeans, wheat at one-month low
U.S. forecaster sees 62 per cent chance of El Nino developing during May-July
Argentina, parts of U.S. could benefit; Asian crops may not
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — A U.S. weather forecaster on Thursday predicted a 62 per cent chance of the El Niño phenomenon developing in the Northern Hemisphere during May-July, and a strong chance toward end-year, likely compounding risks to crops across the globe. “The coastal warming in the eastern Pacific may foreshadow changes across the Pacific basin. Therefore, […] Read more
Australia reaches deal with China in barley dispute
Trade shift may be 'bad news' for Canada and other exporters
Reading Time: 2 minutes Sydney/Beijing | Reuters — Australia has reached an agreement with China to resolve their dispute over barley imports, the two countries said on Tuesday, a latest sign of improving ties between the major commodity trade partners. Relations between the two had been strained for years, and worsened after Australia called for an inquiry into the […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Barley prices still historically high, but face headwinds
Bulk corn delivery remains more convenient
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Feed barley bids in Western Canada remain historically strong, despite easing off their highs over the past month and trending lower. With bids of around $410 per tonne into the Lethbridge feedlot alley, feed barley “is still a sell,” according to Mike Jubinville of MarketsFarm, speaking on a webinar. However, he noted there […] Read more
China agrees to resume imports of Brazilian beef
Beijing authorizes four new Brazilian plants
Reading Time: 2 minutes Beijing/Sao Paulo | Reuters –– Efforts by the Brazilian government to lift a month-long ban on beef exports to China paid off on Thursday, as Beijing agreed to resume imports while also approving four new beef packers based in Brazil, according to authorities in both countries. China’s General Administration of Customs approved the resumption of […] Read more
China to buy more homegrown soybeans for reserves
State-owned firms urged to prioritize domestic soy
Reading Time: < 1 minute Beijing | Reuters — China will step up buying of domestic soybeans by state reserves to encourage farmers to keep planting the crop, the agriculture ministry said on Thursday, as Beijing continues to push for greater self-sufficiency in oilseed. China started to increase soybean planting a year ago amid worries about its heavy reliance on […] Read more
Maple Leaf sees ‘inflection point’ beyond red ink of 2022
Packer books net losses in Q4, full-year
Reading Time: 3 minutes Another of Canada’s major pork and poultry packers has reported significant net losses in its 2022 ledger, but sees “green shoots” suggesting a return to normal pork markets and stable supply chains this year. Maple Leaf Foods on Thursday reported a net loss of $311.89 million on $4.739 billion in gross sales for its fiscal […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME cattle set high on Brazil halting beef exports to China
April hogs close lower, June up
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures reached a contract high on Thursday amid hopes that Chinese importers will buy more U.S. beef after rival supplier Brazil suspended shipments to China, analysts said. Brazil said it would halt beef exports to China, the main destination for its overseas shipments, after confirming a […] Read more
China to plant more soy, speed up GMOs to ensure food supply
Beijing reiterates goals to increase soy acres, intercrop with corn
Reading Time: < 1 minute Beijing | Reuters — China will increase its efforts to boost output of soybeans and edible oils, state media reported on Monday, citing a key rural policy document, as it continues to push for greater self-sufficiency in its key food supplies. The world’s top soybean buyer is trying to lower its heavy reliance on imports […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy futures fall on technical selling
Corn edges higher; wheat weak
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures dropped on Monday on a technical setback after rallying to the high end of recent trading ranges last week, traders said. Corn ended higher after trading in negative territory for much of the day, with the market finding support near Friday’s low. Investors were waiting for news about […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
