New-crop lentil bids sluggish on Prairies

New-crop lentil bids in Western Canada remain sluggish, with ample supply and the lack of interest in forward pricing weighing on prices, said an analyst. "Lentils are a dead market for the foreseeable future," said Mike Jubinville, an analyst with ProFarmer Canada in Winnipeg. Some of the weakness in new-crop bids was associated with the […] Read more

Prairie flaxseed prices edge higher

Western Canadian flaxseed cash bids have advanced in the past month, with fresh export demand along with tight supply concerns contributing to the firmness, said an industry participant. "The Chinese market has really helped out western Canadian flax prices this year," said Chuck Penner, an analyst with LeftField Commodity Research in Winnipeg. The Chinese and […] Read more


Prairie canola cash bids continue to advance

Western Canadian canola cash bids continue to move upward with record crushing, solid export demand and chart-based buying providing underlying support. However, ideas that canola may be oversold, along with uncertainty in the global macroeconomic picture, could temper the upward price potential in the long-term. Mike Jubinville, an analyst with Pro Farmer Canada in Winnipeg, […] Read more

Alta. feed barley prices remain in narrow range

The absence of willing sellers and advances in other grains are adding some firmness to feed barley values in southern Alberta. However, the lack of fresh demand is limiting any upward price movement, keeping barley in a narrow range, said an industry participant. Lethbridge feed barley spot bids in mid-February are $210 per tonne, up […] Read more


Mexican restrictions keep canaryseed prices stagnant

Western Canadian canaryseed cash bids continue to be stagnant, as efforts to remove the restrictions placed by Mexico on those shipments continue coming up short, an industry participant said. "I think people have lost track whether canaryseed has an upside or downside potential," said Kevin Hursh, executive director of the Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan […] Read more

Lower ocean freight costs support grain exports

Soft ocean freight rates, which hit 25-year lows in early February, are helping cut into Canada’s grain freight disadvantage with some of its competitors, according to industry participants. The Baltic Dry Index, which is used as a guide for global shipping rates, is sitting at 715 points, up from a 25-year low of 647 points […] Read more


Prairie flaxseed cash bids continue to soften

Western Canadian flaxseed cash bids continue to soften, as strong global supplies amplify the downward price trend, said industry participants. A large eastern European crop has helped fuel the downward price trend recently, said Paul Martin of Prairie Flaxseed Products at Portage la Prairie, Man. With eastern European flaxseed prices coming in around the equivalent […] Read more

Prairie canola cash bids firm, but upside limited

Western Canadian canola cash bids continue to remain strong, with solid demand and concerns about South American weather providing support. However, one analyst says, the advances seen in canola cash values may have reached their top levels. Currently, cash prices for canola range from $11.75 to $12 a bushel for old-crop, while new-crop bids generally […] Read more


Alta. feed barley values slip on warm weather

Feed grain prices have fallen slightly in southern Alberta’s cattle feeding region in the past month. Warm winter temperatures have contributed to a steady downward price slide in feed barley values. However, a cold snap or possible drought conditions later on as spring starts could move prices upward. Lethbridge feed barley prices in early January […] Read more

Prairie canola cash bids steady, yet uncertain

Western Canadian canola cash bids remain strong as the new year begins. The advances in canola futures values have helped boost cash prices as well. However, uncertainty remains on how much further futures can rise before basis levels start to widen. Currently, cash bids for canola range from $11.75 to $12 a bushel for old-crop, […] Read more