CHICAGO/BEIJING, (Reuters) – Days before a U.S.-China trade deal is due to be signed, large Chinese purchases of Brazilian soybeans and a pair of unexpected policy moves by Beijing have dimmed U.S. hopes that China would double its imports of American farm products this year. U.S. President Donald Trump has touted the prospect of China […] Read more
Stories by Karl Plume
China’s swine fever outbreak more severe than previously thought
CHICAGO, (Reuters) – China’s African swine fever outbreak is far more severe than previously thought and the full impact of the disease on animal feed producers has yet to be realized, U.S. agribusiness company Archer Daniels Midland Co said on Wednesday. The fatal pig disease has slashed China’s hog herd by as much as half […] Read more
Trade war sinks North Dakota soybean farmers
COLFAX, North Dakota (Reuters) – North Dakota bet bigger on Chinese soybean demand than any other U.S. state. The industry here – on the far northwestern edge of the U.S. farm belt, close to Pacific ports – spent millions on grain storage and rail-loading infrastructure while boosting plantings by five-fold in 20 years. Now, as […] Read more
As trade war drags on, new Bunge CEO looks to avoid ‘stroke-of-the-pen’ risk
CHICAGO, (Reuters) – A year removed from a losing bet that the U.S.-China trade war would be promptly resolved, global grains trader Bunge Ltd is facing an even more uncertain business environment, with a new chief executive who is determined not to get burned again. Gregory Heckman, who joined Bunge’s board late last year and […] Read more
American ag to China smaller, now stopped
China bought small amounts of American soybeans, wheat, sorghum and pork last week ahead of the latest escalation of trade tensions with Washington, according to United States government data issued recently, in what may be the last American farm commodity sales to China for the foreseeable future. China’s Ministry of Commerce said last week that […] Read more
China bought U.S. pork last week as Beijing declared halt in U.S. farm purchases
CHICAGO, (Reuters) – China made its biggest purchases of U.S. pork in seven weeks last week as Beijing said Chinese companies suspended purchases of American agricultural products, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data issued on Thursday. The world’s largest pork consumer bought 10,211 tonnes of U.S. pork between Aug. 2-8 for shipment in 2019 as a […] Read more
U.S. confirms light soy, wheat, pork sales to China before latest tariff threats
CHICAGO, (Reuters) – China bought small amounts of U.S. soybeans, wheat, sorghum and pork last week ahead of the latest escalation of trade tensions with Washington, according to U.S. government data issued on Thursday, in what may be the last American farm commodity sales to China for the foreseeable future. China’s Ministry of Commerce said […] Read more
Bunge posts profit on South America, gain from Beyond Meat investment
CHICAGO, (Reuters) – Agricultural commodities trader Bunge Ltd swung to a profit in the second quarter from a year-ago loss, helped by improved results at its South American operations. Bunge also reported an unrealized gain from the company’s stake in Beyond Meat Inc, meaning it could profit from the plant-based burger venture if it sells […] Read more
U.S. soybean exports to China rise, but big purchases remain elusive
CHICAGO, (Reuters) – U.S. government data on Monday showed exports of soybeans to China picking up to the most in five months last week ahead of trade talks between the two countries in Shanghai, although the shipments were for beans bought months ago and new purchases have proven elusive. China has yet to make the […] Read more
Argentina wheat farmers eye record harvest as bad crop weather hits rivals
BUENOS AIRES/CHICAGO, (Reuters) – Argentine wheat farmers are preparing for a record harvest, even as global rivals see crop yield prospects cut amid floods in the United States, searing heat in Europe and drought in Australia. The grain bounty in the world’s No. 6 wheat exporter, with exports valued at $2.4 billion in 2018, will boost the […] Read more
