MarketsFarm — The Port of Thunder Bay reported another strong grain handling month in May, as more than 1.1 million tonnes of Canadian grain and oilseeds moved through the harbour on the northern shores of Lake Superior during the month. Increased demand from many countries stockpiling grain amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic was cited as […] Read more
Grain exports continue strong out of Thunder Bay
COVID-19 leads to increased demand, reduced oil traffic by rail
Elevator operators seek quick end to CN strike
The Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA) wants grain shipments on Canadian National Railway (CN) to resume as soon as possible. “It has a major impact for every day that we’re not moving grain on CN,” WGEA executive director Wade Sobkowich said in an interview Tuesday. “A federal mediator has been appointed and that’s a step […] Read more
Oil on rail likely won’t interfere with grain movements
CNS Canada — When considering the pattern of how grain is shipped by rail in Canada, it’s very unlikely increased oil shipments would interfere, according to Quorum Corp. “That’s largely because the flow of grain is predominantly to the West Coast and Thunder Bay,” said Quorum president Mark Hemmes. About 80 per cent of Canadian […] Read more
No big problems seen in grain transportation so far
CNS Canada — It’s so far, so good with grain shipments to the three major Canadian ports according, to a spokesperson with Quorum Corporation, which compiles weekly performance updates on Canada’s grain handling sector. The spokesperson said there not have been any big problems recently, only a few sporadic instances in rail shipments. There has […] Read more
Barge glut chokes U.S. shipping sector despite record harvest
Chicago | Reuters — A glut of idled river barges is clogging Mississippi River shorelines from St. Louis to New Orleans, leaving U.S. barge companies that haul grain, coal and other bulk goods counting their losses. Even with record-large exports of corn and soybeans, typically a boon for shippers that haul grain to Gulf Coast […] Read more
Egypt tightens import quarantine rules on grains
Cairo | Reuters — Egypt has tightened its agriculture quarantine regulations, imposing a rule that will prevent grain shipments suspected of contamination from being offloaded until they receive test results, according to a letter sent to traders Monday. The rule comes just one month after the world’s biggest wheat buyer discontinued its controversial zero tolerance […] Read more
Thunder Bay expects more activity beyond sluggish start
CNS Canada — Since the Port of Thunder Bay’s season opening, its grain handle has been slower compared with previous years, but the port’s CEO says this year is a reversion to normal. The northern Lake Superior port started shipping on March 26, and as of May 31 has moved 1.5 million tonnes of cargo, […] Read more
Alberta grain elevators close to capacity, harvest yet complete
As Alberta elevators near 85 per cent of working capacity, concerns remain for a harvest not yet over
Reading Time: 3 minutes As harvest starts to wrap up in some areas of the province, producers can expect their grain to move a little quicker than it did following last year’s record harvest. But they’re not out of the woods yet. “Alberta’s starting to fill up again,” Mark Hemmes, president of Quorum Corporation, said in an Oct. 2 […] Read more
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