MarketsFarm — To Pulse Canada, the recent move by the Indian government to temporarily reduce the import levy on lentils from 30 to 10 per cent is part of a balancing act between competing interests. Greg Cherewyk, president of Pulse Canada, explained that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “looking after the needs of a politically […] Read more
India’s levy cut on lentils part of balancing act
Global markets had zero or little forewarning of decision
Pulse weekly outlook: Levy cut an opportunity for Canadian lentils
MarketsFarm — Canadian lentils should benefit from India lowering its import levy on lentils from 30 to 10 per cent, said Marlene Boersch of Mercantile Consulting Venture Inc. in Winnipeg. The announcement, made June 2, was intended to reduce lentil prices in the country. India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare estimated the lentil crop […] Read more
Brandt buys GeoShack’s Ontario business
Deal makes equipment firm the exclusive Topcon dealer for Canada
Farm, forestry and construction equipment maker Brandt is about to buy itself a lock on the market for Topcon GPS equipment in Canada. The Regina-based Brandt Group announced Wednesday it has reached a deal to buy the assets of GeoShack Canada Co. and the Canadian assets of Inteq Distributors, both owned by Dallas-based Ultara Holdings. […] Read more
Pulse prospects are bright, but transport is the big hurdle right now
The pandemic hasn’t hurt demand but a shortage of shipping containers is constraining exports
Reading Time: 3 minutes Short-term demand for Canadian pulses has spiked in the midst of the pandemic as consumers stocked up their pantries. “I’ve seen it called the ‘plan for the worst’ trend, and this sector is pretty well positioned for that kind of buying pattern,” said Greg Cherewyk, president of Pulse Canada. “Generally speaking, when you account for […] Read more
Grain exports continue strong out of Thunder Bay
COVID-19 leads to increased demand, reduced oil traffic by rail
MarketsFarm — The Port of Thunder Bay reported another strong grain handling month in May, as more than 1.1 million tonnes of Canadian grain and oilseeds moved through the harbour on the northern shores of Lake Superior during the month. Increased demand from many countries stockpiling grain amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic was cited as […] Read more
India to let farmers sell produce directly to traders, retailers
Current system seen reducing farmer bargaining power
New Delhi | Reuters — India is to allow farmers to sell produce directly to bulk buyers such as trading companies, food processors and large retailers, the farm minister said on Wednesday. This would obviate the need for farmers to bring their produce to India’s more than 7,000 regulated wholesale markets and let buyers buy […] Read more
From faux meat to fake milk, the plant-based trend still going strong
It’s not making news during the pandemic, but consumer interest in meat and dairy alternatives hasn’t waned
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s not making news during the pandemic, but the popularity of plant-based foods is still growing, says an expert on global food trends. “Because of COVID-19, it looks like plant-based food has gone off the boil because you just hear less about plant-based food,” David Hughes said during a webinar hosted by the Plant Protein […] Read more
India reduces tariffs on lentils
Reduction set for all lentil imports except from U.S.
MarketsFarm — India is temporarily reducing import tariffs on lentils originating from most countries. The India government’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs on Tuesday posted “Notice 26/2020-Customs,” which lowers import taxes on most lentils entering the country, from 30 per cent to 10 per cent. The reduction, which takes immediate effect, runs until […] Read more
Insurance customers’ contact info dropped into MASC email
Crown crop insurance agency warns of privacy breach
A contact list of crop insurance customers at Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. has gone out via email to several dozen of the Crown ag insurance agency’s customers. MASC on Monday said a file containing names and contact information of an unspecified number of AgriInsurance clients was “attached in error” to an email sent last Tuesday […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Chickpeas recover from previous lows
MarketsFarm — Chickpea prices have recovered slightly from lows hit around the end of 2019, but they’re still a long way off historic highs from years past. Ahead of the 2018 growing season, chickpea prices were around 50 to 60 cents/lb. for growers, according to Darwin Hamilton of Kalshea Commodities in Winnipeg. Currently, large chickpea […] Read more
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