MarketsFarm — Ahead of the crop production report from Statistics Canada (StatCan) due out Friday, trade expectations are above and below what the federal agency estimated in September. In August, and in September, StatCan issued production reports based on a satellite model and without any input from farmers filling out surveys. That has caused some […] Read more

Opinions divided ahead of StatCan production report
Agency's previous estimates model-based

Pulse weekly outlook: Yellow peas under pressure from large volumes
MarketsFarm — Large volumes of yellow peas being delivered into commercial hands have put some pressure on values, although prices remain reasonably solid. Green and maple pea bids are stronger, but movement is more limited in those markets. End users were active buyers of yellow peas in recent months, but many are now filled up […] Read more

Canada to boost defence, cyber security in Indo-Pacific policy
New policy document puts focus on 'disruptive' China
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada launched its long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy on Sunday, outlining $2.3 billion in spending to boost military and cyber security in the region and vowed to deal with a “disruptive” China while working with it on climate change and trade issues. The plan detailed in a 26-page document said Canada will tighten […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Canola’s sideways market nears low end of range
January down last six sessions
MarketsFarm — ICE Futures canola contracts slid lower during the week ended Wednesday but remain stuck in a sideways trading range overall. The January contract has held within a range from $800 to $900 per tonne for the past five months, with the market still well within that range despite losing over $50 per tonne […] Read more

Bird flu pressure bears down on B.C. farms
High-path flu hits 13 commercial farms in Fraser Valley within past week
Commercial poultry farmers in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley have come out the worst so far this month in Canada’s year-long fight with highly pathogenic avian influenza. Since Wednesday last week, that region alone has seen outbreaks on 13 commercial poultry farms: nine at Abbotsford, three at Chillwack and one in the District of Kent. That’s […] Read more

Feds pledge agriculture office for Indo-Pacific export support
Ottawa aims to tighten ties with region
Updated Nov. 23 — Canada’s latest round of federal efforts to boost economic ties with the Indo-Pacific region will include its first dedicated agriculture and agri-food office in the region. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s tour through the region last week included a pledge of $31.8 million over five years for a regional agriculture office, to […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Chickpea prices rise amid tight supplies
Supplies still haven't recovered off 2021
MarketsFarm — Chickpea prices in Western Canada are on the rise due to tight supplies, according to one trader. Prices for Kabuli chickpeas rose five cents per pound from last month, with high-delivered bids ranging from 40 cents/lb. for the seven-millimetre variety to 55.5 cents/lb. for 10-mm, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. In comparison to […] Read more

Competition Bureau to probe soaring food prices
Retail food prices seen outpacing inflation
Reuters — Canada’s competition watchdog said on Monday it would examine factors impacting soaring food prices and whether more competition in the grocery stores sector could help lower costs for Canadians. Price rises for store-bought food have been outpacing the broader annual inflation rate for 10 consecutive months, and grew 11.4 per cent in September, […] Read more

Avian flu circles back to Quebec
Saskatchewan's bird mingling ban held over
Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian flu have returned to Quebec’s poultry sector after a lull of just over two months, while more Canadian cases continue to pile up at points west. Canada’s fall migratory season for wild birds appears to have led to the return of outbreaks in both commercial and backyard poultry flocks and […] Read more

Thanksgiving in a time of bird flu
North America's poultry sector is embroiled in a fall surge of avian influenza, even as turkey demand hits one of its annual peaks
It’s the final stretch until Thanksgiving, but anyone hoping to bring their raw bird over the border may be disappointed. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public that raw poultry, including turkey, from restricted areas of the U.S. will not be allowed past the international border due to the ongoing fight with […] Read more