CNS Canada — A wet spring in the U.S. has forced many farmers to switch out corn acres in favour of alternative crops — a practice that could potentially raise prices for Manitoba farmers, an industry watcher said. “It’s encouraging on the price outlook to see they (U.S. farmers) put less acres in,” said Myron […] Read more
Lower U.S. corn acres raise optimism for Manitoba growers
China approves corn export permits to two companies
Beijing | Reuters –– China has given approval to at least two companies to export corn, two sources with knowledge of the matter said, in a radical move by the world’s No. 2 producer to cut its ballooning surplus that could add more supply to a saturated global market. The move threatens to push U.S. […] Read more
Corn, wheat prices seen hitting 10-year lows in 2016
Geneva | Reuters — Hefty supplies, large expected crops and poor U.S. exports will weigh on grain prices later this year with corn and wheat set to drop to 10-year lows as harvest nears, consultancy AgResource said Friday. In its first 2016 price forecast, the U.S.-based consultancy forecast Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) December corn […] Read more
End of China’s corn stockpiling threatens global feed trade
Chicago | Reuters — Grain traders worried on Tuesday about the risk for reduced demand from China after the government said it would scrap its corn stockpiling program at a time when global markets are awash with excess supplies. Traders said importers in China would likely reduce purchases of farm products used to feed livestock, […] Read more
China to end state corn stockpiling, free up prices
Beijing | Reuters — China plans to scrap its corn stockpiling scheme and allow markets to set prices for the grain, pushing to boost efficiency on its farms and to narrow a gap between local and international prices that has sparked a surge of cheaper imports. The government will instead subsidize corn growers and encourage […] Read more
Corn acres seen rising in Manitoba
CNS Canada — Corn prices in Manitoba may not be setting any records these days but they’re still likely high enough to spur an increase in the amount of corn planted this year, according to an industry watcher. “I would not all be surprised to see a 20 per cent increase. The value of corn […] Read more
China to let market decide its corn prices
Beijing | Reuters — China will let the market decide its domestic state corn prices to help cap the country’s rising imports and record-high level of state reserves, a senior official was cited by state media as saying on Monday. “The direction of corn reform is… to let the market decide prices, and (state support) […] Read more
U.S. grain prices soar as floods shut waterways, threaten crops
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. grain farmers scrambled to find shelter for their crops and handlers hunted for alternative transportation routes, as widespread floods shut waterways from Illinois to Missouri and spurred a surge in physical prices of corn and soybeans. The sudden jump in prices could complicate a months-long stand-off between farmers who are […] Read more
Views mixed on impact of crude’s slip for ag markets
CNS Canada — While just about everyone agrees the plunging price of oil will have a bearish effect on commodity prices, the size and impact of that fall seems to vary. As recently as Nov. 4, crude oil prices were $48.64 a barrel, but since then have fallen to US$37.86, as of Wednesday’s opening. Some […] Read more
Manitoba corn locked in sideways trading mode
CNS Canada –– Manitoba corn appears locked into a sideways trading range for the foreseeable future, according to one industry watcher. From where the president of the Manitoba Corn Growers Association sits, it’s not surprising, given commodities’ bearish nature these days. “It’s not super-rosy; the (weak Canadian) dollar helps a bit, but we would like […] Read more