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
Sean Pratt
Stories by Sean Pratt
Crops ‘look good’ but slow
SASKATOON — Statistics Canada’s latest satellite-based map of vegetative growth in the Canadian Prairies is missing the colour green. The Crop Condition Assessment Program (CCAP) map for the week ending June 16 was all yellow and brown. Related stories: That means crop conditions across the Prairies at this early stage of the growing season are […] Read more
EU tariffs on Russian flax may open markets for Canada
SASKATOON — Canada’s flax exporters are closely monitoring the European Union market this year. “It’s going to be very interesting to see what happens now with the EU imposing tariffs on Russia,” said Tyson Fehr, procurement and marketing manager with Prairie Premium Products Inc., a flax processor in Portage la Prairie, Man. Related stories: Russia […] Read more
Looming meal glut may hinder crusher growth
Oilseed crushers and renewable diesel processors that want to expand wonder how they will market the additional meal
SASKATOON — The United States will soon have a glut of soybean meal that could limit crush expansion and renewable diesel production in that country. Canada’s canola sector will be wrestling with the same issue, but the consequences will not be as dire, says an industry official. Related stories: The U.S. exported a record 14.52 […] Read more
Turkish durum not expected to be as disruptive this year
The country blindsided the market with large exports last year, but analysts say global traders are more prepared now
SASKATOON — Durum markets are waiting with bated breath to see how big of a crop Türkiye produces. The Turkish Flour Industrialists Federation is forecasting 20 million tonnes of total wheat production, down two million tonnes from last year. Related stories: That total includes durum, but there is no breakdown by class. Rossella Polito, an […] Read more
Canadian barley has opportunity in China
SASKATOON — Canadian barley growers might have a window of opportunity to regain some lost market share in China, says an analyst. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting that Australia will export six million tonnes of the cereal crop in 2024-25. That is down from seven million tonnes last year and more than eight […] Read more
High farm debt ratio in ‘pretty healthy range’
In the last five years the growth in receipts has outpaced the increase in debt due to strong commodity prices
SASKATOON — Canadian farmers have taken on an extra $100 billion in debt over the last 20 years, but they are still in good financial shape, according to an economist. Farmers ended 2023 with $146 billion in outstanding debt. That is up from $47 billion in 2003. It is a big number, but it is […] Read more
EU tariffs could boost exports here
SASKATOON — New European Union tariffs on grain from Russia and Belarus could create opportunities for Canadian exporters. “For the period of application of this regulation, which is undetermined, this certainly opens new export opportunities, including for Canadian producers,” Olof Gill, spokesperson for trade and agriculture with the European Commission, said in an email. Related […] Read more
U.S. crops off to good start, but will it last?
SASKATOON — Grain crops are off to a nice start in one of the major exporting regions of the world, but weather challenges could lie ahead. Three-quarters of the United States corn crop was rated good to excellent as of June 2. Spring wheat is one percentage point lower at 74 percent good to excellent. […] Read more
Chickpeas galore in Australia could impact yellow pea prospects
SASKATOON — Australia’s desi chickpeas could provide stiff competition for Canada’s yellow peas in India this year. Farmers Down Under could be harvesting a massive crop based on early-season expectations. Related stories: The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is forecasting 1.15 million tonnes of chickpea production in 2024-25. That would […] Read more
