Beijing | Reuters — China will let the market decide its domestic state corn prices to help cap the country’s rising imports and record-high level of state reserves, a senior official was cited by state media as saying on Monday. “The direction of corn reform is… to let the market decide prices, and (state support) […] Read more

China to let market decide its corn prices

U.S. grains: Wheat up on talk of Russia curbing exports
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures climbed to a one-week high on Monday on short-covering and concerns about the possibility that Russia might limit exports, traders said. Soybeans rose, led by soymeal, while corn ended nearly unchanged. At the Chicago Board of Trade, March wheat settled up six cents at $4.81-1/2 per bushel (all […] Read more

Philippines rush new GMO rules to avert import disruption
Manila | Reuters — The Philippines is set to issue new rules next month on GMO imports, seeking to avert food supply disruptions when a court-ordered stoppage kicks in as import permits for livestock feed expire this year, government officials said. In a landmark ruling in December, the country’s Supreme Court struck down a 2002 government […] Read more

U.S. grains: Corn, wheat post small gains
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade corn futures inched higher in end-of-week consolidation trade on Friday, supported by some fresh global supply concerns and stronger-than-expected export data, traders said. Chicago Board of Trade soft red winter wheat also firmed slightly, with mild short-covering lending support. Ample global supplies but weak demand for U.S. […] Read more

U.S. grains: Corn snaps winning streak but wheat, soy firm
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. corn futures fell on Thursday, breaking a three-day streak of gains, as a pick-up in country movement of the yellow grain pulled prices from one-month highs hit early in the session, traders said. Wheat and soybean futures closed firm, bouncing back from declines on Wednesday on a round of bargain […] Read more

Feds scrap ‘conditional’ pesticide approvals
Federal crop chemical regulators this summer will stop granting “conditional” registrations for new pesticides — a practice already largely on the way out, they note. Health Canada, which oversees the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), said Tuesday it plans to stop granting new conditional registrations starting June 1, describing the move as an “important […] Read more

New Zealand to host TPP signing Feb. 4
New Zealand plans to host the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact by its 12 member nations on Feb. 4. The country’s trade minister, Todd McClay, confirmed in a statement Thursday that New Zealand has issued invitations to TPP ministers to sign the agreement in Auckland, marking the end of negotiations. Signing the deal […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Corn expected to move higher, soy sideways
CNS Canada –– Corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade have a bullish tone, according to one analyst, while soybeans are trading sideways to slightly higher. But any anticipated gains could be taken away as quickly as they come, by turbulence in outside markets. “I think there’s an opportunity to buy corn and sell […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybeans set back on profit taking
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures dropped 1.1 per cent on Wednesday as investors locked in profits a day after the market’s rally to a four-week high, traders said. Wheat futures also fell, pressured by weak overseas demand for U.S. supplies. But corn closed slightly higher, with a surprise export sale triggering a mild […] Read more

Currency analysts watch for interest rate decision
CNS Canada — The likelihood of the Bank of Canada cutting interest rates on Wednesday is already priced into the loonie, according to one analyst — but if the bank instead decides to hold rates steady, the beleaguered currency could move higher. The Canadian dollar was trading around US69 cents (US$1=C$1.45) near midday Tuesday, which […] Read more