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
Australia reaches deal with China in barley dispute
Trade shift may be 'bad news' for Canada and other exporters
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
NASA to conduct first global water survey from space
Data would bolster weather and climate forecasts
Reading Time: 3 minutes Los Angeles | Reuters — A NASA-led international satellite mission was set for blastoff from southern California early on Thursday on a major Earth science project to conduct a comprehensive survey of the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers for the first time. Dubbed SWOT, short for Surface Water and Ocean Topography, the advanced radar satellite […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat plunges to three-month low on export competition
Corn also down on weak demand, soybeans rise after selloff
Reading Time: 2 minutes Winnipeg | Reuters — Chicago wheat extended losses on Friday to a fresh three-month low as modest weekly U.S. exports kept traders’ focus on competition from cheaper Black Sea supplies. Corn also fell, while soybeans rebounded, consolidating after a selloff in the previous session over disappointing U.S. biofuels levels. The most-active wheat contract on the […] Read more
Russia to ban some imports of seeds from Canada, Europe
Canada's Prograin soybean seed on list
Reading Time: < 1 minute Moscow | Reuters — Russia will ban imports of some seeds from several locations in Europe and Canada from Aug. 15, its agriculture safety watchdog said on Thursday, citing non-compliance by suppliers with phytosanitary requirements as the reason. Imports of tomato and carrot seeds will be banned from a nursery of Satimex Quedlinburg, in Germany, […] 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
The end of pink ham? France to cut use of nitrite in cured meats
Reading Time: 2 minutes Paris | Reuters — France’s parliament has approved a bill that aims to gradually reduce the use of nitrite in cured meats and has ordered a review of the potential health risks by the end of June. Nitrite salts are widely used in cured meats such as ham, bacon and sausages, extend the shelf life […] Read more
U.S. grains: CBOT wheat up after mixed trade
Traders eye U.S. corn harvest results
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures ended higher on Thursday after struggling for direction as traders assessed reduced harvest prospects in major exporting countries. Corn and soybean futures were little changed after topping two-week highs. Traders focused on global supply risks for wheat as Strategie Grains sharply lowered its projection for […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, soybeans climb
Wheat up on global supply concerns
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn futures climbed on Wednesday, supported by strength in the crude oil market and firming wheat futures. Wheat climbed as Russia joined France and Canada this week in reducing its production forecast for wheat at a time of strong global demand. Soybeans firmed, though gains were limited as canceled exports […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat firms on global supply cuts
Corn inches higher as U.S. crop ratings decline
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat futures firmed two per cent on Tuesday, strengthened by global supply concerns amid strong demand, while a weaker U.S. dollar supported U.S. trade. Corn inched higher after a weekly decline in U.S crop conditions reported by the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA). Soybeans traded both sides of even before easing […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
