food Archives | Alberta Farmer Express

U.N. draws on emergency fund in bid to avert famines

By Reuters, GFM Network News November 18, 2020

United Nations | Reuters — United Nations aid chief Mark Lowcock said on Tuesday he would use US$100 million from the world body’s emergency fund to help seven countries try to avert famine fueled by conflict, spiraling economies, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Some $30 million will be spent in Yemen, $15 million each […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

Irritated trade partners push back on China’s coronavirus food tests

Canada rips testing as 'unjustified trade restrictions'

By Dominique Patton, emma-farge, GFM Network News November 18, 2020

Beijing/Geneva | Reuters — Major food-producing countries are growing increasingly frustrated with China’s scrutiny of imported products and are calling on it to stop aggressive testing for the coronavirus, which some say is tantamount to a trade restriction. China says it has found the virus on the packaging of products from 20 countries including German […] Read more

General, Markets

FCC identifies export, market opportunities for Canadian food

The ag lender's latest report highlights canola oil, pork, potato products, crab meat

By Allan Dawson, GFM Network News November 17, 2020

Canada is already a major exporter of agricultural goods, food and beverages — but increasing food and beverage exports is still one of Canada’s biggest trade opportunities, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) says. And by diversifying exports, farmers will become less dependent on current major markets, reducing their financial risk. “When borders close for any number […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

High food prices hurting India’s poor

Inflation pain expected to persist for months yet

By Aftab Ahmed, Rajendra Jadhav, GFM Network News November 15, 2020

New Delhi | Reuters — India’s retail inflation may stay elevated for at least three more months after hitting a six-year high in October, as excess rain has damaged standing crops and seedlings, while edible oils that the country imports have become expensive. The high prices are a particular cause of concern for India’s hundreds […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

Louis Dreyfus to gain first outside investor

Abu Dhabi's ADQ fund to acquire indirect 45 per cent stake

By Gus Trompiz, GFM Network News November 11, 2020

Paris | Reuters — Louis Dreyfus Co. (LDC) has agreed to sell a 45 per cent stake to Abu Dhabi’s ADQ, the companies said on Wednesday, the first outside investment in the family-owned commodity merchant’s 169-year-old history. The deal comes after a search by chairwoman Margarita Louis-Dreyfus for an investor to relieve debt built up […] Read more

Crops, Reuters

Food retail order boom may ease after big quarter, Conagra says

By Reuters, GFM Network News October 1, 2020

Reuters — Conagra Brands put better-than-expected first quarter sales on Thursday down to heavy ordering by retailers worried about the durability of supply chains in the months ahead as a second wave of coronavirus cases takes hold. Shares in the foodstuffs maker dipped as much as three per cent before recovering after chief financial officer […] Read more

General, Markets

Feds pondering more self-reliance in Canada’s food

'Even if we are already in a good position, we can always do better,' Bibeau says

By D.c. Fraser, GFM Network News September 28, 2020

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau is looking for ways to make Canada’s food supply more autonomous. In an interview Thursday, Bibeau pointed to her minority Liberal government’s pledge in the throne speech to further support the food value chain. That could mean a review of food infrastructure across the country, according to Bibeau. Specifics aren’t yet […] Read more

Hogs, Livestock

Olymel’s Red Deer plant holds at one COVID case

Pork plant employee's contacts returning to work

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News August 21, 2020

A production line employee at Olymel’s hog slaughter plant at Red Deer, Alta. remains the facility’s lone COVID-19 case after her contacts at the plant tested negative for the virus, the company says. Olymel, the meat packing arm of Quebec ag co-operative Sollio, confirmed the lone COVID-19 case at its Red Deer site on Aug. […] Read more

Fruit/Vegetables, Livestock, Markets

Feds line up projects for surplus food program

NGOs backed to gather, distribute 12 million kg of food

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News August 14, 2020

The federal government has lined up eight projects to source and distribute perishable produce, meat, eggs and seafood piling up across Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the federal pandemic response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in early May that Ottawa would budget $50 million for a food surplus purchase program. The […] Read more

Crops, Reuters

Mexico to phase out use of glyphosate

Farmers to have until 2024 to phase out herbicide

By Reuters, GFM Network News August 13, 2020

Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico will gradually phase out use of the herbicide glyphosate by the time the current administration ends in late 2024, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday, following a ministerial spat over the product. Acknowledging differences between his agriculture and environment ministries over the herbicide, which is used in […] Read more

U.S. in talks with Huawei exec on resolving criminal charges, source says

U.S. pork packer Smithfield offers ultra-cold vaccine storage

Richardson to boost Peace region grain handle

GFM Network News