SASKATOON — The United States continues to face a tsunami of used cooking oil imports from China that is undermining the country’s soybean crush expansion, says an analyst. The U.S. imported 3.2 billion pounds of UCO through the first eight months of 2024, which is double the volume for the same period one year ago. […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
New trade war would slash U.S. exports: report
Canola would be the Canadian crop most directly affected by a trade war because of its link with U.S. soybean prices
SASKATOON — Grain and oilseed prices would fall if a new trade war erupted between the United States and China, according to a new report. The American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association sponsored the report prepared by World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services. Related stories: The groups said there has been “considerable discussion” […] Read more
Market ignores Russian attacks on grain ships
Some think the market has been quiet due to large Aussie crop and infrequency of attacks; others say prices should rise
SASKATOON — Grain markets should be reinstating a Black Sea war risk premium, say analysts. “I’m very surprised that we haven’t started to push a bigger premium into the wheat market, especially soft wheats, because of what’s happening,” said MarketsFarm analyst Bruce Burnett. Related stories: Russia has been stepping up its attacks on Ukrainian grain […] Read more
Flax production expected to be more than first anticipated
SASKATOON — Canadian farmers produced more flax than initially anticipated this year, says a trader of the crop. Statistics Canada estimates growers planted 503,200 acres of the oilseed, the smallest crop since 1949. Related stories: It is forecasting an average yield of 21.5 bushels per acre, which is very close to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s forecast of […] Read more
China buys fewer peas
SASKATOON — Pea imports are way down so far this year in one of Canada’s top markets. China bought 657,000 tonnes of the crop during the first half of the calendar year, which was 22 per cent below the same time a year ago, according to a new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s […] Read more
Indian monsoon delivers
Good rain bodes well for pigeon pea crop, which may hurt demand for lentils
SASKATOON — India’s Southwest Monsoon really delivered this year. Seasonal cumulative rainfall for the June 1 through Sept. 30 period was eight per cent above the 50-year average, according to the India Meteorological Department. Central India received 19 per cent more than normal, while the South Peninsula was 14 per cent above average. The country […] Read more
Slow demand squeeze pinto, black bean prices
The price outlook for white, great northern and kidney beans remains bullish as they benefit from Argentina’s crop wreck
SASKATOON — The price outlook for pinto and black beans is about to improve, while prices for many other classes are already on the rise, according to two traders of the crop. Pinto and black bean prices have been on a downward slide since spring. Related stories: “We’re reaching the bottom, so the downside risk […] Read more
Aging trees threaten production of palm oil
Trader says 27 per cent of Malaysia's palm trees are 20 years or older, while harvesting the taller trees proves difficult
SASKATOON — Malaysia’s palm oil industry has a problem, according to a trader of the commodity. Gaurav Kochar, a trader from India, said the age profile of the country’s trees is a “pressing concern” with 3.7 million acres of plantations that are 20 years or older, which is 27 per cent of total planted area. […] Read more
VIDEO: Plant nutrition begins one km underground
Nutrien’s potash mining operations in Sask. are part of a growing effort by suppliers to meet producers’ nutrient needs
ALLAN, Sask. — A lot has changed since Nutrien produced and shipped the first 1,000 tonnes of potash from its Patience Lake mine in 1959. For instance, the price of potash was around US$50 per ton back then. It is six times that value today, and this is a down year for prices. One thing […] Read more
India could cut lentil imports
Gov't may release some of its stocks into the market, which would reduce need for imported lentils
SASKATOON — The red lentil market hinges on what the Indian government intends to do with its bloated stocks of the crop, says an analyst. The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) is sitting on a massive stockpile of 800,000 tonnes. Related stories: Binod Agarwal, managing partner of SGR Agri, believes NAFED […] Read more
