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
Trump, citing U.S. farmers, slaps metal tariffs on Brazil, Argentina
Prairie cash wheat: Improved basis underpins bids
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Wheat bids in Western Canada were mostly higher during the week ended Thursday, as basis levels improved in most locations. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were mixed during the week, with a steady to softer tone in Manitoba while Saskatchewan and Alberta saw gains of $1-$3 […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Corn, soy run into strengthening U.S. currency
Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada — The growing currency crisis in Turkey is starting to impact other economies throughout the world, and by extension commodities such as soybeans and corn. As the Turkish lira drops in value, many investors have begun to put their money into the U.S. currency. It’s a common move when markets are troubled as […] Read more
Turkish currency crisis casts cloud over lentil exports
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — The plunging value of the lira is threatening to curb sales of Canadian lentils to Turkey — traditionally one of Canada’s biggest customers for the pulse. The Turkish lira hit a record low on Monday as soaring inflation and political turmoil sent the currency plunging relative to the U.S. dollar. At the […] Read more
Low loonie not good for farmers right now
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Usually when the Canadian dollar starts to drop lower than its U.S. counterpart it’s good for producers — but this time not so much. Along with the drop, commodity prices have also dropped. “Unfortunately I’m not so sure that what we’ve seen in terms of a decline in the Canadian dollar versus […] Read more
Maduro rebukes Kellogg for leaving Venezuela
Reading Time: 2 minutes Caracas/Valencia | Reuters — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blasted U.S.-based cereal maker Kellogg Co. on Tuesday for pulling out of the country due to the economic crisis and vowed to hand over the company’s factory to workers. At a campaign rally ahead of Sunday’s presidential election, which Maduro is expected to win, the president called […] Read more
Behind the Bitcoin craze, blockchain in agriculture
New online transaction technology is being used to secure interactions between grain buyer and seller
Reading Time: 5 minutes [Updated: Dec. 14, 2017] Winnipeg / Commodity News Service Canada – Across the world Bitcoin has caused a flurry of excitement. But as analysts warn about the potential downfall of the cryptocurrency craze there is a part of it that could survive and change the business world – blockchain. “People are seeing potential here. They […] Read more
U.S. makes lower trade deficit priority in NAFTA talks
Reading Time: 3 minutes Washington | Reuters — The United States on Monday launched the first salvo in the renegotiation of the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), saying its top priority for the talks was shrinking the U.S. trade deficit with Canada and Mexico. In a much-anticipated document sent to lawmakers, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said […] Read more
Corn/soy price ratio favours soybean acres, analyst says
Reading Time: 3 minutes Chatham, Ont. — Most underpinnings for higher corn, soybean and wheat prices appear to have fallen away — leaving biodiesel the only area that could drive higher prices. A growth mandate for U.S. ethanol production ends in 2017, and oil prices continue to stagnate well below the highs of a few years ago, according to […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans set six-month top
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose about two per cent on Tuesday, touching a six-month high on worries about excessive rains in Argentina crimping production prospects, analysts said. Corn and wheat followed the firm trend, drawing additional support from a setback in the dollar. Chicago Board of Trade March soybeans settled up 23 […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
