Canola exports picked up in the last two months of the crop year, meaning full year exports were close to the figure in Agriculture Canada’s supply and demand report issued in June. As well, domestic use wound up higher than forecast, so the year-end carryout should not be a burdensome factor. Agriculture Canada had forecast […] Read more
D'Arce McMillan
Stories by D'Arce McMillan
Crude oil is up this summer, but future prices unclear
Crude oil prices spent much of the spring lower than forecasts made in late winter but have jumped up in recent weeks on strong demand during the busy summer travel season. West Texas crude, the North American benchmark, spent most of the winter in the US$70s per barrel, which was a bit lower than expected. […] Read more
Pork trade might suffer collateral damage from EV fight
Canadian pork exports posted a strong first four months, thanks to improved sales to Japan, South Korea, Mexico and the Philippines. Sales to China remain significant, but are down from the same period last year, and the future of the Asian giant’s demand is uncertain because of geopolitical issues related to electric vehicles (EVs). Chinese […] Read more
Global crops mainly prosper, remaining problems modest
Crops in much of Canada and the United States are doing a lot better than last year, thanks to improved moisture through the spring. And nearly all of the Canadian Prairies and American Midwest were expected to get even more rain June 28-July 3. That system might have delivered excessive amounts in some areas. While […] Read more
Market assesses impact of Russia’s smaller wheat crop
The weather has not co-operated for Russia’s wheat growers and the country might produce the smallest crop since 2021. Killer frosts, drought and excess moisture in various regions of Russia have trimmed yield prospects. The winter wheat crop in dry southern regions near the Black Sea are in the filling stage while spring wheat seeding […] Read more
To understand food inflation, more transparency, data needed
Some Canadians are boycotting Loblaws in protest over the high cost of food and a belief that grocery stores are generating unjustifiably high profits. The campaign started through social media and is generating news media coverage although I don’t know if it is having a big impact on sales. People are frustrated about inflation, and […] Read more
Geothermal energy to be used to supply electricity, food
A Saskatchewan company developing a project to generate electricity from geothermal heat has struck a deal with a British Columbia-based firm to build a greenhouse to take advantage of the heat. There is expanding interest in using geothermal heat to make green electricity, and by adding greenhouses to the projects, there is potential to lessen […] Read more
Canola exports need strong finish to reach forecast goal
Canola exports in the week ending May 12 finally showed life, with 322,800 tonnes shipped, the most in a single week this year, according to Canadian Grain Commission figures. Exports of the oilseed will need additional strong showings in the remaining 11 weeks of the crop year to avoid falling short of the forecast for […] Read more
China hopes GM crops will increase grain self-sufficiency
China’s government approved genetically modified wheat and corn varieties for domestic cultivation last week, marking a step forward in becoming a global advocate for crop genetic modification. In only a few years China shifted from a cautious approach to GMOs to solid support, with potential implications for the country’s self-sufficiency and for global attitudes about […] Read more
North America welcomes rain; S. America gets too much
Soil moisture conditions are improving across much of Canada and the United States cropping regions, thanks to recent rain, but the market last week was focused on excess rain in southern Brazil. Canadian farmers on the Prairies are eager to get seeding, but they also appreciate the moisture from recent systems that is helping to […] Read more
