Bunge-Viterra deal ‘effectively ends competition’ says NFU

The National Farmers Union denounced the approval of the Bunge-Viterra merger in a statement released on Jan. 17. The NFU said the multi-billion dollar deal “effectively ends competition in Canada’s agricultural commodity sector,” as it creates the world’s largest agricultural commodity trader, and it will control 40 per cent of the Canadian grain market.






Only small changes in latest AAFC estimates

There were only small changes to the updated supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) released Nov. 19. All of the other data in the AAFC report were carried over from its October report.

Feed weekly: Prairie barley market steady with good new crop projections

Feed barley bids are holding relatively steady in Western Canada, showing little movement over the past month as end users await the new crop amid relatively favourable growing conditions. Drought fears had encouraged some demand earlier in the year, but “now that those fears have been alleviated, (buyers) are starting to dig in,” according to[...]


Malt barley outlook promising, but harvest quality will be key

CNS Canada – Many questions remain about Western Canada’s malt barley crop, but many analysts appear to expect at least an adequate harvest. Quality concerns and yield reductions will hit farmers in southern areas, but for those with good quality, prices should remain at least steady for the medium term. While analysts cautioned that forecasts[...]

Sleeman investing to bring back production from U.S.

Canada's third-biggest national brewer plans upgrades at its southwestern Ontario plant, with which it plans to bring back some production it now contracts out to a U.S. brewery. Guelph-based Sleeman Breweries, owned since 2006 by Japanese brewer Sapporo, announced Monday it will invest $6.61 million to expand packaging capability, put up new beer tanks and[...]


Labatt buys Toronto craft brewer Mill Street

An award-winning Toronto craft brewer, famed as the biggest certified organic brewer in Canada, is now owned by the makers of Bud and Blue. Labatt Breweries, the Canadian arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev, announced Friday it has bought Mill Street Brewery for an undisclosed sum and will "immediately" invest $10 million in upgrades at Mill Street's[...]

Ont. oat, barley growers approve GFO entry

Ontario's barley and oat growers have voted just over three-quarters in favour of representation by the province's wheat, corn and soybean growers' organization. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) confirmed Monday that eligible growers voted 77 per cent in favour of the move in a November vote conducted by the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission. GFO[...]