Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat futures closed higher on Friday, boosted by a weaker U.S. dollar, after hitting a 20-month low, while corn futures rose from a seven-month low. The markets recovered after a week that saw expectations for an extended Black Sea export deal and a lower U.S. government estimate for corn export […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat, corn get boost off weaker dollar after multi-month lows
Expectations grow for Black Sea deal extension
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
Russia, U.S. bicker at UN over donating fertilizer to Syria
U.S. calls for Russia to distribute via UN
Reading Time: 2 minutes United Nations | Reuters — Russia and the United States bickered on Tuesday over whether Russian fertilizer could be donated to Syria as Moscow heightens complaints about obstacles to its fertilizer shipments before the renewal of a deal allowing Ukraine Black Sea grain exports. Some 260,000 tonnes of Russian fertilizer has been stuck in several […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy, corn, wheat inch higher ahead of holiday weekend
Chicago markets close Monday for Presidents Day
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn, soybean and wheat futures closed modestly higher on Friday as traders squared positions ahead of a three-day U.S. weekend and weighed contrasting crop prospects in South America, analysts said. Uncertainty about the future of a Black Sea grain export corridor underpinned values, while a firming dollar […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Values pull back from upper ranges
Early U.S. estimate of planting intentions due out next week
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Despite some bullish influences, commodity prices at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) were stepping back in mid-February. That movement wasn’t a surprise to Scott Capinegro of Barrington Commodity Brokers in Barrington, Ill. Prices for corn, soybeans and wheat had been at the upper end of their ranges, he said. “We are still […] Read more
Russia says sanctions a barrier to Black Sea grain deal renewal
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters — Russia said Monday it would be “inappropriate” to extend the Black Sea grain deal unless sanctions affecting its agricultural exports are lifted and other issues are resolved. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed by Russia and Ukraine last July, created a safe corridor to allow grain to be exported from Ukrainian ports blockaded […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat strong on concerns about Ukraine, Russian exports
Chicago corn, soy futures rise
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures rallied on Friday, supported by concerns the grain deal allowing for Russian and Ukraine exports from Black Sea ports could splinter amid escalations in the nearly year-long war between the two countries, traders said. Corn and soybean futures also were strong, with corn following the gains in wheat […] Read more
Price drop not enough to lift demand for Canadian flax
Russia, Kazakhstan competitive in export markets
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — While flax prices in Western Canada have fallen by at least half from what they were one year ago, they are still too high to be competitive on a global level, according to one flax processor. Mike Popowich, owner and vice-president of TA Foods Ltd. at Yorkton, Sask., said demand for the crop […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn retreat off multi-month highs
Putin's comments on exports underpin wheat
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures settled lower on Wednesday as traders booked profits after both markets set multi-month highs and as weather forecasts promised much-needed rains in Argentina’s crop belt, traders said. Wheat followed the weaker trend. Chicago Board of Trade March soybeans settled down 15-1/4 cents at $15.24-1/2 per bushel, […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Soy, corn markets’ eyes on South America
Wheat market remains sensitive to Ukraine news
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Soybean and corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were boosted by last Thursday’s bullish supply/demand estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but attention has since shifted back to South American growing conditions. “The primary thing right now is South American weather,” said market analyst Tom Lilja of Progressive Ag at […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
