Judging by the dry conditions in the southern Canadian Prairies this summer, durum production will likely fall this year despite a half percent increase in seeded area. The amount of durum stocks carried into the 2023-24 crop year will likely be small, resulting in a tight overall supply of the crop in Canada. Italy is […] Read more
D'Arce McMillan
Stories by D'Arce McMillan
North American dry trend might be ready to lose its grip
As July approaches, the dominating question in crop markets is whether the dry weather that dominated the U.S. Midwest in June will continue, bringing back memories of the 2012 drought and its summer of soaring crop prices. The dry June in the U.S. Midwest shook the complacency out of the crop market and lifted prices […] Read more
Exports only upside in dismal hog market
Canada has some of the lowest-cost pork in the world, signalling poor returns for hog producers but opportunity to increase exports. Canada’s hog producers are contending with high feed costs and stagnant domestic pork demand while hog prices are down from last year. Pork processor Olymel is reorganizing its business, closing slaughter houses in eastern […] Read more
Clean energy decision could soon impact oilseed markets
June promises to be momentous for the oilseed market, including canola, and for the future of bio-based diesel and aviation fuel as American lawmakers make several important decisions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week sent to the White House its final rule regulating biofuel blending for 2023-25. The first public release of the EPA’s […] Read more
India is tops in population but not a big food importer
As India grows, could it take over from China as the leading importer of crops and meat?
Worry about recession weighs down commodity markets
It seems markets have got into a funk worrying about the potential for a recession and are betting that demand for commodities, including crops, will be restrained. Crop markets have also replaced the panic caused by Russia invading Ukraine with a more calm assessment. Prices for most major crops have returned to levels similar to […] Read more
Global supply-demand environment keeps traders relaxed
Crop markets have been falling of late because of slow demand and generally favourable weather around the world. I’ll first cover the factors weighing down prices and later note the spots with production issues that could support prices. The cool spring in grain production areas of Canada and the United States has slowed field work […] Read more
El Nino may not have much of an impact on wheat yields
Will an early El Nino impact Canadian spring wheat yields?
Smaller herds trigger record cattle prices and pricier beef
Chicago fed and live cattle futures hit record highs last week and that will likely push up the price of beef at a time when consumers are already shocked at the level of food inflation.
Markets focus on weather, credit tightening and oil price
With the weather finally warming, market watchers’ attention in coming weeks will be focused on the pace of planting progress in North America while they also keep a wary eye on interest rates, credit availability and oil prices. The cool start to spring on the northern Plains means there is a larger than normal area […] Read more
