Crops
Reuters — J.M. Smucker on Monday agreed to buy Twinkies maker Hostess Brands for US$5.6 billion including debt in a deal that unites two major American snack makers. The deal was worth about $4.6 billion excluding debt, with Jif peanut butter maker Smucker paying Hostess shareholders $34.25 per share (all figures US$). The cash-and-stock offer […] Read more
J.M. Smucker to buy Twinkies maker Hostess in US$5.6 billion deal
'Very surprised (anyone) is paying this amount'
P.E.I. potato growers, CFIA to draft plan for ‘pest-free places’
Plan would support movement of seed potatoes, feds say
A system of “pest-free places of production” (PFPP) is now on the drawing board for Prince Edward Island’s potato sector, following a meeting between federal and industry officials. Federal Agriculture Minister and P.E.I. MP Lawrence MacAulay on Friday reported meeting with staff and representatives of the P.E.I. Potato Board, to discuss next steps in the […] Read more
U.S. food companies go deal hunting as pandemic growth fades
Twinkies maker Hostess exploring a sale
Reuters — U.S. packaged food companies are set for a flurry of deals in a push to revamp their brand portfolios as their pandemic-era fortunes fade and benefits of price hikes start to taper off. Last month, Campbell Soup struck a $2.7 billion deal for Rao’s sauce maker Sovos Brands (all figures US$). Unilever bought […] Read more
Russian Agricultural Bank could have SWIFT access within 30 days, U.N. tells Moscow
Russia seeking 'actual exemptions' from sanctions
Reuters — A Russian Agricultural Bank subsidiary in Luxembourg could immediately apply to SWIFT to “effectively enable access” for the bank to the international payments system within 30 days, the United Nations told Russia in a letter, seen by Reuters on Friday. “SWIFT has confirmed that RSHB Capital S.A. would be eligible to apply for […] Read more
Canada’s canola carryout up on year, wheat down slightly
Barley, oats, peas also up on year
MarketsFarm — Canadian canola ending stocks edged higher in 2022-23, while wheat carryout was slightly lower, according to the latest stocks data from Statistics Canada, released Friday. Barley, oats and peas also saw increases on the year, while lentil supplies tightened. Total wheat stocks as of July 31, at 3.58 million tonnes were down by […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat hits three-month low
Soy sets two-week low before U.S. crop report
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures hit their lowest price in more than three months on Friday, while soybean futures rose from a two-week low as traders waited for updated U.S. crop data. Trading was choppy and subdued before the U.S. issues its monthly world agricultural supply and demand estimates (WASDE) […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Prices for reds rise, amber eases back
Harvest pressure, Canadian dollar also factors
MarketsFarm — Wheat on the Canadian Prairies was mixed for the week ended Thursday, with gains for Canada Western Red Spring and Canada Prairie Spring Red wheats, while Canada Western Amber Durum slipped back. Kansas City winter wheat and Minneapolis spring futures were higher on the week to provide support for Canadian cash prices, but […] Read more
DLF buys Corteva’s alfalfa seed business
Business to be 'fully transitioned' after 2024 season
International forage and turf seed firm DLF is stretching its reach in the alfalfa market with a deal for Corteva Agriscience’s assets in that business. The Danish firm announced Wednesday it had acquired Corteva’s global alfalfa germplasm and breeding program for an undisclosed sum, including its current commercial alfalfa varieties and their trademarks such as […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Harvest pressure keeps lid on prices
Domestic prices seen weighing on corn imports
MarketsFarm — As the harvest continued across the Canadian Prairies, pressure kept feed grain prices largely in check, according to Crystal Leitch of Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton. “We don’t see things changing too much because pricing is not what it was. There’s some hope that pricing is going to come back up, whether it […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy futures stumble as trade awaits harvest, crop data
U.S. corn harvesting starts early in some areas
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures fell on Thursday as grain traders waited for farmers to harvest their fields and the government to release updated crop estimates next week. Most-active soybean futures ended down 16-3/4 cents at $13.59-1/2 a bushel at the Chicago Board of Trade (all figures US$). CBOT wheat futures declined 9-1/4 […] Read more