The blockchain-based global commodity transaction platform being developed by six of the world’s biggest agrifood firms is moving ahead with a new name and project leader. The six companies — ADM, Bunge, Cargill, Louis Dreyfus, Cofco and Glencore Agriculture — announced Wednesday the project will be named Covantis, and have hired former ADM executive Stefano […] Read more

Major grain traders’ e-transaction platform gets name

Trump, citing U.S. farmers, slaps metal tariffs on Brazil, Argentina
Washington/Rio de Janeiro | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump ambushed Brazil and Argentina on Monday, announcing tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum imports from the two countries in a measure that shocked South American officials and left them scrambling for answers. In an early morning tweet, Trump said the tariffs, “effective immediately,” were necessary […] Read more

U.S. grains: Corn futures firm on technical buying
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures firmed on Monday, edging up to their highest in nearly a month on a round of technical buying despite signs of poor demand, traders said. Soybean futures fell, with traders waiting for concrete signs of progress in trade negotiations between the U.S. and China before buying into a […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soy futures fall to two-month low
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures slid to a two-month low on Wednesday on technical selling and expectations that increased rains will benefit crops in rival shipper South America. Corn and wheat futures also fell as traders adjusted positions ahead of Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday, when U.S. markets will close. The markets will reopen for […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Canola still pressured by soybeans, rangebound
MarketsFarm — The trench in which ICE Futures January canola now finds itself is expected to hold firm, according to Ken Ball of PI Financial in Winnipeg. “We’re developing a range for the January contract that might hold up for a while, around $455-$467 roughly,” he said. “We could kick up and down in that […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soy falls below US$9 on South America weather, trade doubts
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. nearby soybean futures closed below $9 a bushel on Friday for the first time since September, pressured by improving crop weather in South America and fears that an initial U.S.-China trade deal could be pushed back to next year, analysts said. Wheat futures ended higher, while corn settled narrowly mixed. […] Read more

Brazil Amazon deforestation soars to 11-year high
Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil | Reuters — Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest rose to its highest in over a decade this year, government data on Monday showed, confirming a sharp increase under the leadership of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. The data from Brazil’s INPE space research agency, which showed deforestation soaring 29.5 per cent […] Read more

Brazil gets approval for 13 meatpacking plants for China exports
Sao Paulo | Brazil | Reuters – Chinese authorities approved new Brazilian meat exporting plants on Tuesday, according to the Brazilian agriculture ministry, a highly anticipated move as the two nations continue to strengthen trade ties. The approvals come as China seeks to increase meat imports to compensate for the death of around half of […] Read more

Brazil farmers push traders to end Amazon soy moratorium
Sao Paulo | Reuters – Brazilian farmers plan to start a campaign next week to end a ban by trading firms on buying soybeans from parts of the Amazon rainforest cleared after 2008, leaders from a major farmer group told Reuters, citing support from President Jair Bolsonaro. The push to end traders’ voluntary “soy moratorium” — one […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Corn, soy prices to continue climbing
MarketsFarm — Prices on the Chicago Board of Trade will probably continue to climb, especially for corn and soybeans, according to Scott Capinegro of Barrington Commodities. “The basis remains strong and when the basis is strong, as far as I am concerned, that means the futures should be strong,” he said. Although CBOT bids have […] Read more