Reuters – The United States has already secured a record corn export campaign for the nearly concluded season, but the shipments are unlikely to match the government’s current forecast because the pace has recently been too slow. Disappointing export inspections last week – a marketing year low – might be an indication that the U.S. […] Read more
Tag Archives international trade — page 7

Slow U.S. corn shipments could pressure supply forecasts
Israel shakes up agriculture sector to cut produce costs
Reuters – Israel’s government has unveiled a plan to lower fresh produce costs by cutting customs duties and opening the sector to competition, potentially ending years of prices far above Western averages. The plan, which includes an aid package of direct and other support to Israeli farmers, is expected to save consumers 2.7 billion shekels […] Read more

India to launch $1.48 bln plan to raise oilseed output, cut imports
New Delhi | Reuters – India will launch a 110 billion rupee ($1.48 billion) plan to boost domestic oilseed production to make the country self-sufficient in edible oil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, a move that will cut costly vegetable oil imports. India is the world’s biggest vegetable oil importer and spends an […] Read more

ADM quarterly profit surges amid strong U.S. corn exports to China
Reuters – U.S. grain merchant Archer-Daniels-Midland Co on Tuesday reported quarterly profit leapt 52 percent due to strong exports and oilseed crushing margins. The bigger-than-expected earnings sent shares to a two-week high and extended a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which last year hurt demand for the company’s ethanol and food products. Shares were up […] Read more

Market access a priority in Indonesia negotiations
First round of negotiations expected later this year
Canada’s consultations on a potential free trade deal with Indonesia demonstrate a strong appetite for negotiations to continue. The two nations are expected to launch formal talks this year. Why it matters: Canadian agricultural exporters hope a trade pact with Indonesia will stabilize and strengthen their market access to the Asia-Pacific region. Already 78 per […] Read more

Opinion: Focus on social issues slows trade deals
Canadian producers who eagerly await a trade pact with major Asian markets will have to exercise patience and should be prepared for some nauseating moral posturing by politicians. Bilateral talks with Indonesia are expected to formally open this year, setting the stage for broader negotiations involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a block […] Read more

Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala makes history as new head of WTO
Geneva-based body leaderless for six months; Trump paralyzed some of WTO's functions
Geneva/Washington | Reuters — Three months after the Trump administration rejected her, former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received unanimous backing on Monday to become the first woman and first African director-general of the World Trade Organization. A self-declared “doer” with a track record of taking on seemingly intractable problems, Okonjo-Iweala will have her work […] Read more

Canada, Indonesia explore trade deal
Broader Southeast Asian pact could have potential
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada is exploring a potential trade pact with Indonesia as it continues to seek out deals in the Asia-Pacific region. International Trade Minister Mary Ng made the announcement Jan. 11. Why it matters: Asian-Pacific nations make up one of the largest potential growth markets for Canadian agricultural commodities, especially given the increased […] Read more

Fertilizer price rebound delayed by COVID effects
There’s more upside in phosphate prices than in nitrogen, say fertilizer companies
Glacier FarmMedia – One of the largest manufacturers and retailers of nitrogen fertilizer products says an anticipated price rebound has been delayed. “We believe there was little growth in global demand this year due to the macroeconomic impacts of COVID-19,” Nutrien president Chuck Magro told investment analysts during a recent conference call announcing the company’s […] Read more

Canada has new top soybean buyer
Iran purchased 383,000 tonnes of soybeans from January to the end of September, worth $181 million
Glacier FarmMedia – In 10 seconds or less, name the Number One buyer of Canadian soybeans in 2020. Japan? The United States? China? The answer is Iran. Why it matters: Canada has struggled to replace soybean demand from China since it disappeared in 2019. From January to the end of September, Iran bought 383,000 tonnes […] Read more