CNS Canada — A multi-billion-dollar merger between two major crop input companies is the latest in a string of consolidation efforts in North America’s agriculture industry, drawing attention again to the possible effects on the value chain. Agrium and PotashCorp announced Monday they plan to combine to create an integrated global supplier of crop inputs, […] Read more

Fertilizer merger highlights big-picture concerns

ICE weekly outlook: Stocks add softer undertone to market
CNS Canada –– A stocks report from Statistics Canada has changed the dynamic of the canola market, one analyst says, though prices are not expected to plummet. Statistics Canada estimates canola stocks at 2.016 million tonnes as of July 31. The government agency also upwardly revised year-ago production numbers. “It causes a fairly significant shift […] Read more

India inactive in Canadian chickpeas ahead of harvest
CNS Canada — The Canadian chickpea market is in a transitionary phase ahead of harvest, one market participant says, as a key player sits out. “We’re still kind of in that phase where there’s a lot of orders trying to get filled, positions trying to get squared,” said David Newman of Commodious Trading near Victoria. […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Further downside ahead for soy, corn
CNS Canada –– Soybeans and corn at the Chicago Board of Trade lost ground on the week, and harvest pressure could cause further declines in coming sessions, one U.S. analyst says. Soybeans – Soybean prices settled at a key technical level on Wednesday, which means traders will be closely watching the market for indications on […] Read more

Overcrowded feed market eats into profitability
CNS Canada — Alberta’s feed grain market is overcrowded with sellers, driving prices lower in a trend one market participant says is expected to stay for the near-term. “Farmers keep asking if there’s a lot of grain out there, and that’s not really the main reason markets are falling off,” said Jared Seitz of Agfinity […] Read more

ICE weekly outlook: Traders watch China, production numbers
CNS Canada –– Two main factors are dominating the ICE Futures Canada canola market, one analyst says, as prices are poised to meet resistance in the near-term. “The market is looking for some signs of resolution around this Chinese dockage situation, and it just continues to bring a lot of uncertainty,” said Jonathon Driedger, market […] Read more

No resolution on canola dockage rules from talks in China
CNS Canada — Canadian and Chinese officials met in Beijing last week to discuss potential solutions for an upcoming canola trade policy change, but were not able to find a solution ahead of a looming deadline. China’s quarantine authority is set to impose a standard that would allow just one per cent organic waste material […] Read more

Wet weather threatens lentils, durum
CNS Canada — Wet weather across the Prairies has put a damper on the region’s crop prospects, according to one weather specialist. While drying events in coming weeks will limit further quality declines, it’s not expected to do so as much as some producers would like. “It’s really quite wet in some locations, and it’s […] Read more

CBOT weekly outlook: Soy, corn stuck in place ahead of USDA data
CNS Canada — Soybean and corn markets at the Chicago Board of Trade are trading in tight ranges ahead of key data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But increased global demand for U.S. commodities could underpin prices going forward, one U.S. analyst says. Soybeans – “We’re all just waiting,” said Scott Capinegro of Chicago-based […] Read more

Churchill layoffs in effect, uncertainties remain
CNS Canada — Layoffs from Manitoba’s Port of Churchill are now in effect, but questions remain for those formerly employed by the port, the future of the town and the dynamics of Canadian grain handling. Answers to those questions aren’t coming from OmniTrax, the Denver-based railway that operates the port, as company officials have remained […] Read more