SASKATOON — Analysts speaking at a recent GrainFox market outlook webinar must have left their rose-coloured glasses in the drawer at home. Their assessment of the 2024-25 grains and oilseeds market is bleak. Related stories: Dan Basse, president of AgResource Company, thinks the market highs are already in for the 2024 crop. He believes soybean […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Prairies excel again in spring wheat exports, quality
SASKATOON — Canada has another top-notch spring wheat crop to sell this year, but the durum did not fare as well. Canadian farmers grew 34.3 million tonnes of wheat in 2024 and are expected to export 25.4 million tonnes to more than 80 countries. Related stories: “This will make Canada the world’s third largest exporter […] Read more
Prairie durum sales flourish in global market
Lower exports by Turkey and Russia may open doors for Canadian sales
SASKATOON — Two of Canada’s main durum market competitors have been less of a force so far in 2024-25. “As for Turkish and Russian exports, we do confirm that they are down significantly compared to last marketing year,” Carlotta De Pasquale, market intelligence officer with Italian agri-food intelligence firm Areté, said in an email. The […] Read more
Trade deal review could come early
Experts suggest Trump could call for early review of CUSMA
SASKATOON — United States President-elect Donald Trump could request an early review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, says a senior Canadian government official. CUSMA is a 16-year free trade agreement between the three countries that was implemented in 2020 and expires in 2036. It is subject to periodic reviews, with the next one scheduled in […] Read more
Jet fuel mandate could harm feed markets
SASKATOON — A push to use ethanol to make jet fuel could have a profound impact on feed markets, says an analyst. “Increasingly there are initiatives that are coming into play that are starting to look at ethanol more seriously as a potential feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel,” Tim Worledge, editorial director of Fastmarkets, said […] Read more
Organic groups co-operate, explore options
SASKATOON — Canada’s three national organic organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding that allows them to work more closely together. The agreement was signed by the Organic Federation of Canada, Canadian Organic Growers and the Canada Organic Trade Association. “The MOU is a start, in my mind, towards becoming a single organization,” said Jim […] Read more
Canola crush plant expands
SASKATOON — The first in a series of previously announced canola crush plants is up and running, while other projects appear to be stalled. Richardson International has more than doubled capacity at its plant in Yorkton, which can now crush 2.5 million tonnes of seed annually, up from 1.1 million tonnes. Related stories: • Overseas […] Read more
Healthy pea sales on pace but India actions uncertain
SASKATOON — Canada’s pea exports are off to a torrid start in 2024-25. Bulk shipments were 1.12 million tonnes through week 14 of the crop year, up from 720,000 tonnes at the same time one year ago, according to the Canadian Grain Commission. The total does not include container shipments, which account for 30 to […] Read more
American farmers should diversify, says analyst
SASKATOON — Grain farmers in the United States are in a financial pinch and may want to look north of the border for a way out, says an analyst. Growers have been cutting costs during the last 2.5 years of the current downcycle. They have reduced equipment purchases, cut back on fertilizers and crop protection […] Read more
U.S. biofuel policies expected to change under Trump
SASKATOON — Donald Trump’s recent presidential election victory is likely bad news on a couple of fronts for the biofuel sector in the United States, says an industry analyst. Chris Hairel, vice president of consulting with Argus Media, said there are three key biofuel policy issues that could be affected by Trump’s government. Related stories: […] Read more
