A lack of soil moisture in Australia’s eastern grain belt could hit wheat production in the world’s second largest exporter as farmers start seeding the 2013-14 crop. Concerns over Australia’s wheat output come as the U.S. crop faces winter storms after being planted in dry soil last year, piling pressure on global grain supplies and
Dryness threatens Australia wheat supply as seeding kicks off
China’s corn revolution promises great leap forward in yields
Reuters / China’s farmers are using higher-yielding seeds and embracing modern technology in a shift that makes it less likely China will be a long-term major corn importer. Record Chinese imports of 5.5 million tonnes in 2011-12 helped drive up benchmark Chicago corn prices to $8 a bushel earlier this year — more than double
Australia’s early wheat harvest shows lower protein
The early wheat harvest in Australia, the world’s second largest exporter, is showing lower protein scales and poor yields, analysts and traders said, heightening concerns over global grain supplies as shipments from top exporters dwindle. Farmers are finding lower-than-expected protein scales in New South Wales and Queensland, the states responsible for producing top quality hard
China faces tight pork supply on disease, high costs
China is likely to face tighter pork supply in the second half of the year as a disease among piglets reduces the number of animals for slaughter and higher feed grain costs force small farmers in the world’s most populous nation to curb production. A squeeze in China’s pork supply during the high-consumption winter months
China set to buy more U.S. corn this year
(Reuters) Strong domestic prices and low reserves are likely to force China to import more U.S. corn this year, squeezing tight world supplies, analysts and industry officials said March 14. China’s corn imports are expected to more than double in the current 2011-12 crop year to four million tonnes from 1.5 million a year earlier,
China eyes even more U.S. soy
China, the world’s biggest food shopper, is likely to buy more U.S. soybeans this quarter, as a withering drought is expected to cut the South American harvest, pushing soy prices up to fresh highs. Benchmark Chicago soy has risen for three weeks on the relentless Southern Hemisphere summer, and analysts say prices could head higher,
Asian hunger for “noodle” wheat may bolster prices
For the second straight year, Asia must rely on the U.S. and Canada for most of its top-quality wheat, as rains have cut the protein content in grain from traditional supplier Australia. Asian nations are among the world’s biggest buyers of the superior quality, protein-rich wheat that is used to make noodles, a staple food
China’s Corn Rush To Redraw Global Food Landscape
When China abandoned its soybean self-sufficiency quest almost 20 years ago and started importing the oilseed feeding its hunger for livestock, it almost single- handedly transformed the industry. Today, it s poised to do the same for corn. The world s most populous nation is expected to triple corn purchases next crop year and, by
Black Sea Supplies Weigh On Wheat Prices
Australian wheat prices are likely to come under pressure due to supplies from the Black Sea region, while domestic farmers are holding back new-crop sales, hoping for better prices, industry players said on July 27. The new-crop Australian prime wheat is quoted at around A$255 a tonne on the east coast and A$268 on the
Farm private investment seen doubling in two years
Inflows of private capital in agriculture worldwide are expected to more than double to around $5 billion to $7 billion in two years as rising food prices spur investments in farm land and production facilities. Investors from the United States and Europe are looking at South America for growing more feed grains, corn and soybeans,
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