CNS Canada — Canadian farmers planted their largest chickpea crop in more than a decade in 2018, with the bigger crop likely to lead to a wider price spread between larger- and smaller-calibre supplies. Statistics Canada has placed chickpea acreage for 2018 at 468,900 acres, which would be well above the 160,000 acres planted in […] Read more

Pulse weekly outlook: Wider price spreads likely with big chickpea crop ahead

U.S. grains: Wheat jumps on global crop worries
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures climbed for a second straight day on Thursday on bargain buying following the market’s recent drop and on a weather-reduced wheat crop in Russia, the world’s top exporter. Corn followed wheat higher, underpinned by concerns that heavy rains and flooding in parts of the U.S. Midwest could drag […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat surges after USDA cuts Russian output estimate
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures surged nearly four per cent for the biggest gains in about a month on Tuesday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture slashed its estimate for production in top exporter Russia. Corn futures jumped over two per cent while soybeans notched more modest gains in the wake of the […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybeans climb on hopes for renewed demand from China
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. soybean futures scaled to a 2-1/2-week high on Wednesday as signs of renewed Chinese demand for U.S. exports lifted prices for a fourth straight session. Corn reached a 9-1/2 month peak on concerns about planting and early crop development due to adverse weather, while wheat extended prior-session gains as dry […] Read more

Bayer petitions Russian antitrust watchdog for more time in Monsanto case
Frankfurt/Moscow | Reuters — Bayer has taken Russia’s competition regulator to court over the watchdog’s investigation into the company’s planned takeover of Monsanto, a further hiccup in the US$64 billion deal amid intense antitrust scrutiny. A Bayer spokesman said the German company was petitioning the court in Russia to be given more time to discuss […] Read more

Prairie mustard acreage depends on spring moisture
CNS Canada — The 2018 mustard crop in Western Canada could hit half a million acres according to an industry expert, but he cautions that number could be much lower if dry soil conditions persist until spring. In 2017, there were 385,000 acres of mustard seed planted in Western Canada, down from 525,000 acres in […] Read more

Lentils back at square one heading into 2018
CNS Canada — Lentil prices in Western Canada have dropped significantly over the past year as India’s policy changes and militant actions elsewhere affected markets, according to traders. Green lentil prices in Western Canada lost anywhere from 20 to 36 cents per pound over the course of 2017, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire. Prices are […] Read more

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

U.S. grains: Soy nears US$10 a bushel ahead of holiday
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures approached a two-week high near US$10 a bushel Wednesday on technical buying ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, analysts said. Additional support stemmed from worries that the La Nina weather phenomenon, expected to emerge next month, could stress soy and corn crops in South America. The La Nina […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat up as crop ratings, Russia news spur short-covering
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago wheat futures rose on Tuesday as a decline in U.S. crop ratings and news of radioactive pollution in the Ural mountains triggered a round of short-covering and concern about wheat exports from Russia, the world’s top supplier. Corn and soybean futures closed little changed after a choppy session. Chicago Board […] Read more