Sluggish production blamed on adverse weather conditions and high input costs that lead to reduced fertilizer use SASKATOON — Rising demand and below-trend yields is leading to a tightness in global supply of the major crops, says one of the world’s largest crop input suppliers.The global stocks-to-use ratio for the major crops, excluding China, has […] Read more
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Wheat growers may see premium over durum
Canadian farmers planted 6.36 million acres of durum, 5.5 per cent more than 2023, while U.S. acres jumped 29 per cent
SASKATOON — The price spread between spring wheat and durum will likely narrow in 2024-25, says a grain industry analyst. In fact, this could be one of those rare years where spring wheat momentarily trades at a premium to durum, said GrainFox chief analyst Neil Townsend. Canadian farmers planted 6.36 million acres of the crop, […] Read more
New BRICS grain exchange idea gains traction
Group appears to be getting behind Russia’s proposal for a new marketing system, but market observers remain skeptical
SASKATOON — Russia’s proposal to form a BRICS grain exchange appears to be gaining momentum. BRICS is an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, according to Wikipedia. The idea for a BRICS grain exchange was originally tabled by the chair of Russia’s Union of […] Read more
Deforestation law’s impact on canola remains uncertain
The European Union legislation could change trade flows, but it is hard to predict the overall effect on canola demand
SASKATOON — It is unclear what impact the European Union’s looming anti-deforestation regulation will have on canola demand, says an industry official. The EU’s Regulation on Deforestation-free Products entered into force June 29, 2023. It stipulates that any business or trader who markets commodities such as cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber and […] Read more
Grain movement looks good but faces challenges
Lower crop prices slowed deliveries at the beginning of the 2023-24 year, while railways struggled with labour issues
SASKATOON — Grain movement has been on track this crop year despite some challenges, but it hasn’t been as good as last year, according to Canada’s grain monitor. “There has been so much stuff that has happened this year that has confounded the movement,” said Quorum Corp. president Mark Hemmes. The first challenge was the […] Read more
Russia expected to ship fewer peas
The export situation will mainly depend on how the country's crop fares this year, which has been hurting in the south
SASKATOON — Traders agree that Russia’s pea exports will be down this year, but they differ widely on the magnitude of the drop. Tareq Awad, a trader with Fruitimpex, is forecasting another good crop exceeding four million tonnes of production. Related stories: He told delegates attending a recent Global Pulses Confederation webinar that he anticipates […] Read more
Slow growth in the forecast for global economy
Projections are better for next year, but consumer fatigue and high interest rates are dragging down economic prospects
SASKATOON — Export Development Canada just issued a ho-hum global economic outlook for 2024. “All in all, we see a global economy that has sort of hit a soft patch,” EDC chief economist Stuart Bergman said during a recent webinar. Related stories: The organization is forecasting 3.1 per cent growth in world gross domestic product […] Read more
Fewer Russian, Ukrainian wheat exports could hike prices
The two countries are expected to export 59.71 million tonnes this year, down from 70.4 million tonnes in 2023-24
SASKATOON — The Black Sea region will be far less of a competitive threat in wheat markets in 2024-25, according to an agricultural markets research firm specializing in that region of the world. SovEcon is forecasting Russia will export 46.1 million tonnes of the crop, down from 52.2 million tonnes in 2023-24. Ukraine’s shipments are […] Read more
Wheat sector sees upside to clean fuel program
While American wheat growers say similar regulations threaten their crop, the Canadian industry is more optimistic
SASKATOON — Most of the talk about Canada’s new Clean Fuel Regulations has been about the opportunity it represents for canola, but there is another crop that could benefit. “There is potential for there to be a bump in demand for wheat driven by these regulatory policies,” said Shannon Sereda, director of government relations, policy […] Read more
Palm oil prices cool
SASKATOON — Canada’s canola growers should not expect much price support from palm oil in 2024-25. Regina Koh, market reporter for Fastmarkets, anticipates a modest improvement in global palm oil production this year, but the same can’t be said for the other side of the ledger. Related stories: “There is no strong demand catalyst to […] Read more
