MarketsFarm — From where Steve Georgy sits, commodity markets such as the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) are currently focused on only three things. One is the COVID-19 coronavirus — specifically, how the global outbreak affects commodity markets, especially if it results in “the slowing down the movement of grain, the slowing down the movement […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Markets focused on virus, oil prices, stocks

Pulse weekly outlook: Bids underpin Manitoba edible bean area
Province's soybean acres expected to fall
MarketsFarm — Solid prices should keep Manitoba farmers growing edible beans in 2020, although soybean area will likely drop, according to a provincial specialist. Disappointing harvest weather in 2019 hurt yields and cut into harvested area for edible beans in both Manitoba and across the border in the United States. As a result, prices heading […] Read more

Argentine farmers strike to protest export tax hike
Buenos Aires | Reuters — Argentine farmers began a four-day sales strike on Monday to protest the government’s hike of export taxes for soybeans and their byproducts, though shipments were not impacted in the major global food exporter. Three of the South American country’s four main rural associations announced the strike last week in frustration […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Soybeans, corn recover
More gains possible
MarketsFarm — Soybean and corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade moved off of nearby lows over the past week, with more upside a possibility, according to an analyst. “In general, with the recovery in energy prices and global markets, we’re seeing a little support come into the agricultural markets,” said Terry Reilly of […] Read more

Argentina to raise soy export taxes to 33 per cent from 30
Buenos Aires | Reuters — Argentina plans to raise taxes on soybean, soyoil and soymeal exports to 33 per cent from the current 30, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday, as the government moves to increase revenue ahead of a planned sovereign bond restructuring. Ministry officials met with farm groups during the day to discuss […] Read more

Cargill to enter faux-meat market
Major processor/packer expanding plant-based protein product line
U.S. agrifood giant Cargill is set to bring its crop supply chain further into its proteins business via a new line of plant-based patty and ground products for the retail and foodservice sectors. Already a major player in meat protein, with assets including two major Canadian packing plants processing up to 6,000 head of cattle […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Commodities hold up while waiting on China
MarketsFarm — There’s no doubt commodities on the Chicago Board of Trade have struggled since the coronavirus outbreak in China, but the situation could be worse, a trader said. “I personally think the markets… are holding up pretty well with all of the negative news,” said Scott Capinegro of Barrington Commodities in Barrington, Ill. Some […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Soy, corn wait for next big thing
MarketsFarm — Soybean and corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade have recovered off of nearby lows, but remain rangebound overall waiting for fresh news to push values one way or the other. The U.S. Department of Agriculture holds its Agriculture Outlook Forum on Feb. 20-21. USDA’s first acreage and supply/demand estimates for the […] Read more

GFO quits Grain Growers of Canada
Grain Farmers of Ontario flags national group's 'governance' and structure
Grain Farmers of Ontario has dropped out of Grain Growers of Canada. The Ontario organization, which represents about 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers in the province, cited a lack of representation in the national policy group. GFO publicly announced its withdrawal in a news release on Thursday, days after it informed the […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Corn, soybeans under pressure
MarketsFarm — Market participants on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) are waiting to see how China’s novel coronavirus outbreak will impact commodity demand and the global economy. As of Wednesday, confirmed cases neared 25,000 and the death toll was close to 500. In the midst of dealing with the mounting public health crisis, China […] Read more