European wheat production forecast at 12-year low. Corn, barley, oilseeds also down on year.
EU cuts wheat crop estimate to 12-year low
French farmers fear for dairy herd as Lactalis cuts milk purchases
Paris | Reuters – Lactalis, the world’s largest dairy company, is to reduce the volume of milk it processes in France, a move it said is aimed at reducing its exposure to international commodity prices but which caused alarm among farmers about a declining dairy herd. Lactalis plans to cut the amount of milk it […] Read more
Louis Dreyfus first half profit drops as grain supply swells
LDC, one of the world's largest crop traders and processors whose competitors include ADM, Bunge and Cargill, said its core earnings (EBITDA) were $1.057 billion (C$1.434 billion) in the first six months of 2024, against $1.169 billion (C$1.586 billion) a year earlier.
Strategie Grains cuts EU wheat crop forecast as harvesting starts
Paris | Reuters – Strategie Grains lowered its monthly forecast for this year’s soft wheat crop in the European Union, confirming its expectation for a four-year low in production as harvesting gets under way. The consultancy now sees 2024/25 soft wheat production in the 27-country bloc at 121.8 million metric tons, 1.7 million tons less […] Read more
France revamps pesticide reduction plan in wake of farmer unrest
Paris | Reuters – France unveiled on Monday a revised plan to halve pesticide use in the European Union’s biggest agricultural producer, pledging to adopt an EU indicator and boost research into alternatives in a nod to grievances voiced in farmer protests this year. Why it’s important Environmental regulation was one of the main factors […] Read more
Europe’s grain farms await rain break after damp winter
Weak prices for maize could encourage planting other crops
Grain growers in western Europe will need rain to ease this month to progress with spring planting, after a wet February maintained soggy field conditions that have already put the region on course for a smaller wheat harvest, analysts said.
France drops plan to decrease farmers’ diesel discount
Protests to continue on unanswered questions says farming union
The French government dropped plans to gradually reduce state subsidies on agricultural diesel but that seems not enough for angry farmers surrounding Paris and still threatening to converge on the capital in their tractors.
Explainer: Why are French farmers protesting?
Many farmers feeling pinched by costs, imports, environmental regulations and disregarded by French society
French farmers are blocking roads across the country to demand government action to address numerous grievances, as protests in the European Union's agricultural sector spread. Here are some of the issues that have prompted the growing protest movement and how the government could respond.
Why are Russian export prices roiling the wheat market?
Dissecting the factors around Russia’s grain movement and its impact on global markets
Reading Time: 3 minutes Russian wheat offers at a recent import tender by Egypt were all made at the same price, highlighting what traders classify as behind-the-scenes intervention by Russia’s government that is sowing confusion about the world’s biggest wheat-exporting country. Here is a more detailed look at what is happening: Russian policy In March, sources told Reuters that […] Read more
Crop giant Louis Dreyfus posts lower profit on calmer markets
Like its rivals, the grains merchant has seen profits ease after last year’s surge
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters – Louis Dreyfus Company has reported that its first-half net profits and sales have fallen compared to a last year, when markets were boosted by upheaval from the war in Ukraine. One of the world’s largest crop merchants, its rivals include Archer-Daniels-Midland, Bunge and Cargill. The company reported a group net profit of US$568 […] Read more