MarketsFarm — While Saudi Arabia is a giant among the oil-producing countries of the world, the desert kingdom does produce small amounts of grain. With a population that’s about one million less than Canada’s, Saudi Arabia is extremely dependent on importing its grain from overseas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) attaché in Riyadh explained […] Read more

Saudi Arabia highly dependent on grain imports
Alfalfa more profitable for domestic growers

Beef sector rips ‘unjust’ result as talks wrap on U.K. entry to CPTPP
Dairy sector calls for 'vigilant' enforcement on British imports
Negotiations have concluded for the United Kingdom to join Canada and its 10 partner nations in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade pact, with Canada’s beef cattle sector already calling the results “fundamentally unjust.” Federal Trade Minster Mary Ng on Thursday announced the conclusion of negotiations, making the U.K. the first accession applicant to reach that […] Read more

Several countries ban Brazilian beef as BSE probe goes on
Russia among those halting imports
Sao Paulo | Reuters — The Brazilian agriculture ministry said on Thursday that Thailand, Iran and Jordan have temporarily suspended imports of beef from Brazil while authorities investigate a case of BSE in an animal from Para state, according to a statement sent to Reuters. The ministry also confirmed that Russia has halted imports from […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Barley exports slowing down, local prices steady
Feedlots relatively well covered
MarketsFarm — Canadian barley exports slowed down in January, but out-of-country movement is still running ahead of the year-ago pace, according to updated export data from the Canadian Grain Commission. Canada exported 131,100 tonnes of barley from licensed facilities in January, with China the top customer taking 100,500 tonnes. Total barley exports were well off […] Read more

China to plant more soy, speed up GMOs to ensure food supply
Beijing reiterates goals to increase soy acres, intercrop with corn
Beijing | Reuters — China will increase its efforts to boost output of soybeans and edible oils, state media reported on Monday, citing a key rural policy document, as it continues to push for greater self-sufficiency in its key food supplies. The world’s top soybean buyer is trying to lower its heavy reliance on imports […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Prairie markets hold steady
U.S. corn imports keep lid on domestic grains
MarketsFarm — Feed grain markets in Western Canada have seen little change over the past few weeks. Feed barley bids across Western Canada have generally held steady over the past month, with the spot market topping out at $9.58 per bushel in Alberta, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire data. Prices in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: India looking for lentils, large Australian crop in play
India extends zero-rate tariff
MarketsFarm — An extension of zero-rate tariffs on lentils moving into India for another year should be a clear sign that the country is in the market for imports. However, Canadian lentil sales to India face stiff competition, with a large Australian crop likely to limit movement going forward. India announced at the end of […] Read more

U.S. seeks new dispute panel over Canadian dairy imports
Panel would be second on matter since CUSMA took effect
Washington | Reuters — The United States on Tuesday said it was seeking a second trade dispute settlement panel over Canada’s dairy import quotas, charging that Canada was still not meeting obligations to open its market to U.S. producers. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office said it was challenging Canada’s revised tariff-rate quota (TRQ) allocations that […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Corn imports still weigh on domestic feed market
MarketsFarm — Ample corn imports from the U.S. continue to keep the western Canadian feed grain market under pressure, with barley bids in Lethbridge trending lower through the early days of 2023. “We started the year with cash barley trading at roughly $450 (per tonne) in Lethbridge, it’s since declined to roughly $435,” said Jim […] Read more

Feed weekly outlook: Alberta barley bids steady heading into holidays
MarketsFarm — The Lethbridge feed grain market is holding relatively steady heading into the holiday season, with ample imports of corn from the U.S. keeping a lid on prices. Reports out of Alberta’s feedlot alley peg the upper edge of delivered barley bids in the $430-$435 area, with feed wheat seeing similar prices. Feedlots are […] Read more