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Canadian dairy sector skimming global exports, U.S. complains

Reading Time: 2 minutes Winnipeg/Chicago | Reuters — Canada’s surging exports of protein-rich skim milk powder have angered farmers in the U.S., as the sheltered dairy sector in Canada draws the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump for its high tariffs. Canada cannot expect to have both a protected system and compete globally, U.S. Dairy Export Council CEO Tom […] Read more

A crenellated walkway on top of the Great Wall of China. (Cia.gov)

China agrees to import more ag commodities, fuels from U.S.

Reading Time: 3 minutes Washington | Reuters — China has agreed to significantly increase its purchases of U.S. goods and services, the two countries said Saturday, but made no mention of a US$200 billion target the White House had touted earlier. Beijing and Washington agreed they would keep talking about measures under which China would import more energy and […] Read more


People queue up outside a public supermarket’s doors in Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, in April 2015. (iStock/Getty Images)

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



Beni Abbes, a village in western Algeria. (Cia.gov)

Algeria to open farming concessions to foreigners

Reading Time: 2 minutes Algiers | Reuters — Algeria plans to offer foreign investors concessions for farm land for the first time, according to an official document, as the oil producer seeks to boost food output and reduce reliance on imports. Under the plan, which is expected to be discussed by the cabinet this week before being submitted to […] Read more

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China customs expanding checks on U.S. fruit imports

Reading Time: 3 minutes Beijing/Chicago | Reuters –– China’s major ports of entry have ramped up checks on fresh fruit imports from the U.S., five Chinese industry sources said, which could delay shipments from U.S. growers already dealing with higher tariffs as Sino-U.S. trade ties worsen. Fruits were among 128 U.S. goods that China slapped with more expensive import […] Read more



Red lentils. (Photo courtesy U.S. Dry Pea and Lentil Council)

India imposes duties on chickpeas, lentils

Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada — India is introducing immediate 30 per cent tariffs on imports of chickpeas and lentils, the country’s government announced Thursday. The import duties follow the 50 per cent tariff on yellow peas India introduced in November, and come as part of ongoing efforts by India to support farmers. “Production of chana (chickpeas) and […] Read more


Michael Brownbridge manages research in horticultural production systems at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. (John Greig photo)

Eggplant value chain project replaces most imports

Reading Time: 3 minutes Canadian-grown eggplant and okra have replaced about 800,000 kg of imports over the past several years, creating a research-to-grower-to-market success story. The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has played a central role helping with research and bringing together the parts of the industry needed to create a food chain success. The eggplant and okra case […] Read more

(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

B.C. greenhouse peppers cleared for Japan

Reading Time: < 1 minute Canada and Japan have agreed on import conditions by which British Columbia’s produce growers will be able to ship greenhouse peppers to Japan. The agreement, effective immediately, means the province’s growers “could be looking at up to $20 million worth of pepper exports a year to Japan once the agreement is fully implemented,” B.C. Agriculture […] Read more