File photo of the produce section at a Canadian grocery store. (FatCamera/E+/Getty Images)

Trudeau summons top grocers over rising food prices

Major grocers' level of profit 'does not make sense,' PM says

Ottawa | Reuters — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said he had summoned the country’s top grocers to help find solution to the surging food prices and vowed to cut federal taxes on new rental buildings, as he fights an affordability crisis that has dented his party’s opinion poll ratings. After meeting with Liberal […] Read more

File photo of seasonal agriculture workers from Jamaica at Suncrest Orchards near Simcoe, Ont. (Farmtario photo by Diana Martin)

UN rapporteur calls Canada’s TFW system ‘breeding ground for modern slavery’

Tomoya Obokata says government needs to better protect worker rights and provide better residency path

A United Nations special rapporteur on modern slavery has called out Canada’s temporary foreign worker (TFW) programs, including those in the agriculture sector. Tomoya Obokata, who was appointed by the UN’s Human Rights Council, spoke in Ottawa Sept. 6 following a 14-day visit to Canada. He called the programs “a breeding ground for contemporary forms […] Read more

(Christophe Paul photo courtesy USDA)

USDA adjusts soy, corn outlooks in September report

U.S. wheat usage, carryout estimates shift

MarketsFarm — The U.S. Department of Agriculture made a number of slight changes to its forecast on soybeans and corn for 2023-24, while keeping its domestic wheat numbers from August. USDA on Tuesday issued its monthly world agricultural supply and demand estimates, adjusting its forecast on this year’s soybean yields at 50.1 bushels per acre, […] Read more

File photo of a federal office building in downtown Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

Canada’s canola carryout up on year, wheat down slightly

Barley, oats, peas also up on year

MarketsFarm — Canadian canola ending stocks edged higher in 2022-23, while wheat carryout was slightly lower, according to the latest stocks data from Statistics Canada, released Friday. Barley, oats and peas also saw increases on the year, while lentil supplies tightened. Total wheat stocks as of July 31, at 3.58 million tonnes were down by […] Read more

ICE November 2023 canola with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

ICE weekly outlook: Little downside for canola, trader says

'I wouldn’t look for a big collapse'

MarketsFarm — After trading rangebound during the week before the Labour Day long weekend, canola started the month of September by taking a tumble. The November canola contract stayed between $800-$821 per tonne from Aug. 24 to Sept. 1, with closing prices between $809-$812/tonne. When ICE Futures resumed trading Tuesday, the price dropped $13.90, to […] Read more


(Subjug/iStock/Getty Images)

New Zealand, Canada each claim wins in CPTPP dairy dispute

Dispute panel knocks Canada's dairy access rules

A dispute settlement panel called by New Zealand under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade pact has ruled Canada’s limits on dairy market access cramp its agreed-upon obligations. But despite the panel’s findings in New Zealand’s favour, Canada is also framing the panel’s ruling as a win — as it also generally upholds Canada’s ability to […] Read more

Green lentils. (Savany/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Poor monsoon rains cut into India production

Canadian crops also expected lower

MarketsFarm — Disappointing monsoon rains in India this year are expected to cut into the country’s pulse production, according to reports out of the country. Crop production in India is highly dependent on the monsoon rains that typically soak the country from June through September, but the moisture to date was about nine per cent […] Read more

CBOT November 2023 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans dip, despite exports

Damage to Canada's durum could impact pasta prices

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean prices fell for a second session on Wednesday, despite recent export activity, with analysts pointing to traders squaring positions heading into the end of the month. Wheat traded higher, supported by global demand and concerns about Canada’s crop. Corn was near even as traders wait for the harvest to […] Read more


File photo of a thistle plant in a wheat crop. (Dave Bedard photo)

Vietnam to call off thistle seed ban in grain imports

Move will restore regular grain trade, Cereals Canada says

Vietnam is expected to resume nearer-to-normal grain trade with exporting nations such as Canada, after it loosens a significant restriction on weed seed content. Cereals Canada, a national cereals industry group, on Friday reported that Vietnam’s agriculture ministry has released a revised quarantine pest list due to take effect Sept. 29. The new list, Cereals […] Read more

File photo of a cornfield in Mexico. (Roberto Cabrera/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada says will join as third party in U.S.-Mexico corn dispute

Mexico's measures 'not scientifically supported,' ministers say

Reuters — Canada said Friday it will participate as a third party in dispute settlement proceedings between the U.S. and Mexico regarding genetically modified (GM) corn in imported tortillas and dough, citing concerns about Mexico’s stance on the matter. The decision follows Washington’s request for a dispute settlement panel through the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which […] Read more