Implementation of higher biodiesel mandates in Indonesia, the world’s biggest palm oil producer, is likely to tighten supplies of the vegetable oil, a leading industry analyst said on Tuesday. Photo: Natt Boonyatecha/iStock/Getty Images

Higher biodiesel mandates in Indonesia to curb palm oil supplies, analyst says

Decrease in available palm oil would be ‘catastrophic’ for global consumers, analyst says

Reading Time: 2 minutes Implementation of higher biodiesel mandates in Indonesia, the world's biggest palm oil producer, is likely to tighten supplies of the vegetable oil, a leading industry analyst said on Tuesday. Indonesia currently has a mandatory 35 per cent blend of palm oil-based fuel in biodiesel and is seeking to ramp up to biodiesel containing 40 per cent palm oil to cut its energy imports.



File photo of the facade of the U.S. Department of Agriculture building in Washington, D.C. (Camrocker/iStock/Getty Images)

USDA attaché reports from Canada, other countries

Drought, grasshoppers among concerns cited for Canadian Prairies

Reading Time: 2 minutes The Global Agricultural Information Network of the United States Department of Agriculture issued a series of reports during the week ended Jan. 26. Of those, some of them could have an affect on the North American markets.



(Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

TPP study sees net ‘neutral’ effect on dairy sector

Reading Time: 4 minutes An economic impact study on Canada’s participation in a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal finds losses in Canada’s dairy sector would be “offset” by gains for dairy processors from cheaper dairy imports. The study, prepared for the federal government by its Office of the Chief Economist and released Friday, notes Canada has offered expanded access […] Read more


Australia’s four grain export terminals are operated by farmers through their
CBH co-op.

Australia’s approach to grain co-ops

Owned by 4,200 farmers, the giant CBH Group adds a whole new dimension to phrases like value-adding and diversification

Reading Time: 6 minutes Given the demise of the prairie pools and the recent sales of a number of Canada’s new-generation co-operative grain terminals, it would be understandable if many Canadian farmers, grain traders, farm advisers and policy makers believe co-operative grain marketing ventures are simply not viable in today’s world. Just don’t try and tell that to Western […] Read more