CNS Canada — Canadian grain exports are moving out of the country at a similar pace as they were a year ago, but there are still some challenges along the logistical chain. “Right now we’re looking at the second largest supply of grain that we’ve ever had to move,” said Mark Hemmes, president of Quorum […] Read more

Prairie grain movement not perfect, but not in crisis

Russia to boost grain transport subsidies in 2018
Moscow | Reuters — Russia will spend two billion roubles (C$43 million) in grain transportation subsidies to help to speed exports in 2018, the deputy agriculture minister said on Thursday. Already among the world’s largest wheat exporters, Russia is trying to step up a gear after this year’s record crop, which is keeping its grain […] Read more

Baltic Dry Index nears four-year highs
CNS Canada –– The Baltic Dry Index has climbed sharply over the past two weeks, rising to its highest levels in nearly four years. The BDI settled at 1,662 points on Friday, having gained 300 points since the middle of November. The index was last above 1,600 in January 2014. The BDI is compiled daily […] Read more

Baltic Dry Index hits three-year highs
CNS Canada — The Baltic Dry Index has seen some strength over the past two months, rising to its highest levels in nearly three years. The BDI settled Monday at 1,355 points, having gained roughly 500 points over the past two months. The index was last this high in November 2014. The BDI is compiled […] Read more

Baltic Dry Index hits two-year highs
CNS Canada — Ocean freight rates are trending higher, with the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) hitting its highest level of the past two years on Tuesday. The BDI, compiled daily by the London-based Baltic Exchange, provides an assessment of the price of moving major raw materials by sea, including grain. It was quoted Tuesday at […] Read more

Ocean freight rates pointed down, but well off year-ago lows
CNS Canada — Ocean freight rates are trending down, but are still well off the record lows seen exactly a year ago. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), compiled daily by the London-based Baltic Exchange, provides an assessment of the price of moving major raw materials by sea, including grain. The BDI was quoted at 702 […] Read more

U.S. grain exports slide after Trump win batters peso
Chicago | Reuters — Mexican demand for U.S. grain imports has slumped along with the country’s sinking peso as buyers withdrew from the market amid soaring costs in the week since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, traders and industry analysts said. Corn prices in pesos jumped more than 10 per cent overnight for […] Read more

U.S. grains: Strong exports support corn, soybeans
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose to their highest in nearly three weeks on Monday, supported by technical buying and signs of stronger-than-expected export demand, traders said. Overseas interest for U.S. supplies also supported corn futures, which rose to their highest since Feb. 5, while wheat weakened due to a firm dollar and […] Read more

Ocean freight index bobs up from recent floor
CNS Canada –– The Baltic Dry Index is finally starting to show some stability after setting fresh record lows on a near-daily basis for the past few months. The BDI set a record of 290 points on Feb. 10, but has since posted gains for the past four sessions, settling at 301 on Tuesday. It […] Read more

StatsCan stocks numbers confirm rapid export pace
CNS Canada — Canada’s grain and oilseed exports appear to be in fine form, based on the latest stocks figures on Thursday morning from Statistics Canada. Stocks of wheat, canola and oats are all down compared to last year’s. In wheat’s case, there were roughly five million fewer tonnes in farmers’ bins at the end […] Read more