Buenos Aires | Reuters –– Some of Argentina’s northern soy-growing areas were flooded by heavy rains in the past week, the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said Thursday, warning that it may lower its 57 million-tonne 2014-15 harvest forecast in the coming weeks. The country is the world’s No. 3 soybean exporter and top supplier of […] Read more
Floods in Argentina expected to cause soy crop losses
Australia clears JBS bid for pork firm Primo
Sydney | Reuters — Australian regulators have approved a bid by the U.S. arm of Brazilian beef giant JBS to acquire Australian Consolidated Food Holdings Pty. Ltd. (Primo) for an undisclosed sum, Treasurer Joe Hockey said on Wednesday. The approval by Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), subject to conditions at Primo’s abattoir, allows the […] Read more
Some roads reopened in Brazil; truck strike persists
Sao Paulo | Reuters — Striking truckers lifted their blockade of dozens of highways in Brazil after police began fining and arresting protesters, though strike organizers said they had no plans to end their stoppage now in its 10th day. Road blockages were reported at 61 locations in six states on Friday, down from 88 […] Read more
JBS suspends IPO of processed foods unit, again
Rio de Janeiro | Reuters –– Brazilian meatpacker JBS SA said on Friday it was cancelling an initial public offering of its processed food unit JBS Foods due to unfavourable market conditions. This is the fourth time JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, suspended plans for the IPO of JBS Foods. JBS said in a statement […] Read more
Brazil warns of fines for striking truckers
Brasilia | Reuters –– Brazil’s Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo said Thursday the government would impose fines of between 5,000 and 10,000 reais (C$2,167 to $4,334) per hour on striking truckers who have blocked roads in key agricultural states for nine days. The planned fines come a day after the government attempted to negotiate an […] Read more
IGC sees smaller global wheat, corn crops in 2015-16
London | Reuters –– Global corn production is expected to fall by five per cent in 2015-16 from this season’s record level and the world wheat crop to decline by a more modest two per cent, the International Grains Council (IGC) forecast on Thursday. The intergovernmental body, in a monthly report, forecast global corn production […] Read more
Canada says only three per cent of beef trade hurt by ban
Ottawa | Reuters — Markets that have closed their borders to Canadian beef after a case of mad cow disease was discovered account for just three per cent of Canadian trade, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said Tuesday. South Korea, Taiwan, Peru and Belarus have imposed trade restrictions on Canadian beef and beef products after Canada […] Read more
Agrium profit beats Street, helped by higher grain prices
Reuters — Fertilizer and farm retail dealer Agrium reported a better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit helped by higher prices for most grains and oilseeds. The company also forecast 2015 profit to be $7 to $8.50 per share. Analysts on average expect a profit of $7.55 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Agrium’s U.S.-listed shares rose two […] Read more
Peru, Taiwan, Belarus ban Canadian beef over BSE case
Reuters — Three more countries have blocked imports of Canadian beef or beef products, following Canada’s discovery of BSE earlier this month, its first in four years. Taiwan, Peru and Belarus have imposed trade restrictions on beef and/or beef products, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said on Monday in an update on its website. The […] Read more
Pacific trade pact negotiators to meet in March
Washington | Reuters –– Chief negotiators for a Pacific trade deal will meet in Hawaii for talks in the second week of March, the U.S. trade office said Friday, a move which could delay a final agreement on the pact. Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb said on Feb. 5 he hoped to agree on the […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
