Kiev | Reuters –– A company controlled by Ukrainian tycoon Dmytro Firtash said Thursday it was closing down its last two nitrogen fertilizer plants in Ukraine because of “unprecedented pressure” from the government which had deprived the plants of gas. A statement by his Group DF said the closure of the Cherkassky Azot and Rivneazot […] Read more
Ukrainian N plants to shut, government pressure cited
Russia may allow food imports from three EU states
Moscow | Reuters –– Russia may allow around 20 firms from Hungary, Cyprus and Greece to return to its market after it orders the lifting of an embargo on food imports from the European Union, Interfax news agency quoted a senior official as saying on Tuesday. Russia banned foods from the 28-nation EU last year […] Read more
Crop tour in Russia, Ukraine finds mid-sized farms under pressure
Conflict in Ukraine has left the country’s farmers in a tight spot, as they’ve told agronomist Mike Lee. Lee, who grew up in the U.K. but has managed large farms in Ukraine and worked in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia, traveled 5,000 km through Ukraine and Russia in late March, evaluating winter crops and talking to farmers. […] Read more
Russia looks set to extend import ban on Western food
Moscow | Reuters –– Russia looks likely to extend a ban on Western food imports beyond an Aug. 7 deadline, with a lack of incentive to lift its embargo due to the prospect of extended European sanctions. With President Vladimir Putin supporting moves to boost Russia’s “food security,” officials have promised to invest more in […] Read more
Guenther: ‘Full story’ sought on crop health in Ukraine, Russia
Given the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, the country might seem like a risky place to conduct a 10-day crop tour. But Mike Lee’s confident he can pull it off. “A lot of people think we’re completely nuts for going there. But to me, it’s not that crazy. It’s a fairly normal, straightforward place if […] Read more
Ukraine ceasefire may, or may not, weigh on wheat
CNS Canada –– A tentative ceasefire in eastern Ukraine could lead to adjustments in the global grain markets, with softening wheat prices a possibility. Conflict in eastern Ukraine has been an underlying factor in grains and oilseeds markets over the past year, with the uncertainty of the situation providing both bearish and bullish incentives for […] Read more
Cargill likely to stay private, CEO says
Miami | Reuters — Cargill, one of the world’s largest privately held corporations and a top commodities trader, will likely remain private for at least another decade, its CEO said on Tuesday as he assessed challenges facing the 150-year old company. David MacLennan, who has led Cargill for the past 13 months, also revealed that […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy falls as export interest shifts
Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures dropped to their lowest in nearly three months on Tuesday as export demand for U.S. supplies weakened ahead of what are expected to be record harvests in Brazil and Argentina, traders said. Corn and wheat futures closed firm on a round of bargain buying following […] Read more
Ukraine says no grain export curbs planned
Kiev | Reuters — Ukraine has no plans to restrict grain exports after Russia introduced curbs to stabilize surging prices, and will instead meet with traders to plan the year ahead in “normal operating mode,” Agriculture Minister Oleksiy Pavlenko said Saturday. Last month, Moscow announced it would introduce grain export duties of at least 35 […] Read more
Ukraine appeals to WTO over Russian ban on fruit, vegetable imports
Kiev | Reuters –– Ukraine has complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) about a decision by Russia to ban imports of fruit and vegetables from the country, the agriculture ministry said Thursday. The ban, which came into force Wednesday, was the latest trade barrier erected by Russia in a trade and sanctions war linked […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
