Brasilia | Reuters — Brazilian police launched an investigation of fraud at state-run companies’ pension funds on Monday, as a judge ordered dozens of senior financiers and executives away from their firms, including the CEO of the world’s biggest beef exporter. Police carried out five arrests, more than two dozen interrogations and over 100 search […] Read more
JBS CEO ordered to step aside in Brazil pension fund probe
CBOT weekly outlook: Yield prospects key for soybeans, corn
CNS Canada — Corn and soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade recorded losses during the week ended Wednesday, as expectations of massive crops and high yields edge closer to becoming a reality. “Since weather isn’t a major issue anymore, (traders) will be watching for potential record crop production sizes in the U.S.,” said […] Read more
U.S. opens up to Brazil fresh beef imports
Brasilia | Reuters –– The U.S. and Brazilian governments exchanged food safety equivalence documents on Monday that will open up their respective markets to fresh beef exports, a window expected to boost Brazil’s exports to the U.S. by US$900 million. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said its Food Safety and Inspection Service had determined that […] Read more
Monsanto, Microsoft to invest in ag technology in Brazil
Sao Paulo | Reuters — U.S. biotech company Monsanto and U.S. software and tech firm Microsoft announced on Monday a partnership to invest in agricultural technology startups in Brazil. Monsanto will join a Brazilian investment fund with up to 300 million reais (C$118 million), managed by Microsoft, evaluating ideas for new digital tools to be […] Read more
Saputo eyes Brazil for acquisitions
Reuters — Saputo Inc., one of Canada’s largest dairy producers, has an eye on Brazil for possible acquisitions, and could make deals worth as much as $3.5 billion, its CEO said Thursday. The struggling global dairy industry is fragmented, potentially yielding opportunities, Lino Saputo Jr. said. The company would like to buy cheesemaking plants in […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Surprise demand propping up prices
CNS Canada — Unexpected demand for corn and soybeans is supporting markets in Chicago, according to one U.S. trader, a trend he expects to continue. Soybeans — “It’s just not over yet,” said Sean Lusk, director of commercial hedging with Walsh Trading in Chicago. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybeans rallied in late April after […] Read more
Global GMO area dips in 2015 in first-ever decline
Reuters — The world scaled back biotech crop planting for the first time ever in 2015, led by a decline in the U.S., which has fuelled rapid expansion of genetically modified crops since their commercial launch two decades ago, according to an annual report released Wednesday. The decline was blamed largely on lower crop plantings […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans set eight-month highs in comeback rally
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. grain futures jumped on short-covering and technical buying on Tuesday, with soybeans closing at eight-month highs after a see-saw session. Heavy buying by commodity investors helped drive the gains, with funds snapping up an estimated 15,000 soybean contracts and 20,000 corn contracts at the Chicago Board of Trade, traders said. […] Read more
U.S. grains: Prices jump on short-covering, oil rise
Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Board of Trade corn futures gained for the second straight day on Wednesday, as the grain market enjoyed a price bump from investors continuing to cover short positions and as crude oil prices rose. Front-month CBOT March corn cracked through several moving averages during the day — including the 50-day […] Read more
U.S. grains: Prices rise on short-covering, slow loadings in Brazil
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. soybean futures climbed to a 1-1/2-week high on Tuesday while wheat and corn each gained about one per cent, boosted by investor short-covering and a backlog of export loadings at Brazilian ports. Prices rose as trade resumed following a three-day weekend due to Monday’s U.S. Presidents Day holiday. They were […] Read more
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