Reading Time: 2 minutes Canadian beekeepers are calling for the federal government to reopen the border to the importation of U.S. package honeybees. Witnesses at a meeting of the House of Commons standing committee on agriculture and agri-food last Wednesday presented recommendations for what the government could do to resolve issues of honeybee health decline and bee mortality. The […] Read more
Beekeepers call to reopen cross-border package bee trade
Ten years after the last risk assessment, some say it’s time to re-evaluate
U.S. forecaster sees 62 per cent chance of El Nino developing during May-July
Argentina, parts of U.S. could benefit; Asian crops may not
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — A U.S. weather forecaster on Thursday predicted a 62 per cent chance of the El Niño phenomenon developing in the Northern Hemisphere during May-July, and a strong chance toward end-year, likely compounding risks to crops across the globe. “The coastal warming in the eastern Pacific may foreshadow changes across the Pacific basin. Therefore, […] Read more
USDA stands pat on U.S. soybean, corn ending stocks
Soy, corn crop projections cut for Argentina
Reading Time: < 1 minute MarketsFarm — Projected ending stocks for soybeans and corn in the United States for the current marketing year were left unchanged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its latest monthly supply/demand report (WASDE) — coming as a surprise to market participants who had generally anticipated downward revisions to the carryout numbers. USDA left 2022-23 […] Read more
After growing GM corn for decades, some U.S. farmers open to Mexican restrictions
Biden administration seeks to challenge ban
Reading Time: 3 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Mexico has found unexpected allies as it tries to limit imports of genetically modified (GM) corn: some U.S. farmers who grow the crops. Farmers have for decades planted GM corn, which protects against insects and herbicides, with seeds sold by companies such as Bayer, Corteva and ChemChina’s Syngenta. But as believers […] Read more
U.S. ag businesses want Biden to allow more investment in Cuba
Canadian investment 'significant' in Cuban business
Reading Time: 2 minutes Havana | Reuters — U.S. agribusinesses, on a trade tour in Cuba, said on Tuesday they were “losing” in their bid to boost commerce with Cuban farmers and called on the Biden administration to ease restrictions and allow them to invest in private agriculture on the island. U.S. President Joe Biden last May loosened restrictions […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: World chickpea supplies expected tight over next six months
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — Chickpeas are expected to be in short supply around the world over the next six months, according to a release from the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC). Hot and dry weather in India cut production prospects for that country’s kabuli chickpea crop, according to the report. Production out of Mexico also failed to meet […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: More acres expected for U.S. corn, soybeans, wheat
USDA acreage projections due out March 31
Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — With expectations of far fewer prevent-planting acres for 2023-24, Terry Reilly of Futures International has called for increases in planted area for corn, soybeans and wheat in the U.S. this spring. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is scheduled to release its planting projections on March 31. Reilly pegged planted corn acres at […] Read more
U.S. pushes back against Russian demands linked to Ukraine grain deal
Russian food, fertilizer already carved out from sanctions, U.S. says
Reading Time: 2 minutes United Nations | Reuters — The United States pushed back on Russian demands that Western sanctions be eased before it allows Ukrainian Black Sea grain exports beyond mid-May, saying there were no restrictions on Russian agricultural products or fertilizer. Moscow’s demands include allowing the Russian Agricultural Bank to return to the SWIFT banking system and […] Read more
Canada reported seeking formal talks with Mexico on GMO rule
U.S. already seeking similar talks
Reading Time: < 1 minute Ottawa | Reuters — Canada has asked for formal consultations with Mexico over its restrictions on genetically modified (GM) agricultural imports under the North American free-trade agreement, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Canada requested the talks on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg, a day after the U.S. requested formal trade consultations […] Read more
U.S. demands formal trade talks with Mexico over GMO corn dispute
U.S. says new rules a breach of CUSMA
Reading Time: 3 minutes Chicago/Washington | Reuters — The United States requested formal trade consultations with Mexico on Monday over U.S. objections to its southern neighbour’s plans to limit imports of genetically modified corn and other agricultural biotechnology products. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office announced the request for technical talks after months of informal discussions with Mexican officials over […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
