Trader sees Ukraine grain exports soaring by 2019

Ukraine harvested a record 56.7 million tonnes of grain in 2011 and the yield stood at 3.7 tonnes per hectare

Reuters / Ukraine could increase its grain exports to about 35 million tonnes by 2019 from about 20 million in the current season by boosting both the sowing area and yields, a large foreign grain trading house said March 14. Ivan Miroshnichenko, Black Sea regional director for Noble Resources Ukraine, told an international agricultural business


Canada barley trade losing ground to Argentina

Reuters / Canada’s barley exports have dwindled to a fraction of their former might, as Argentina muscles in on trade and domestic cattle feedlots offer farmers better prices than exporters. Through March 25, Canada was on pace for exports of 1.3 million tonnes in 2011-12 similar to the past two marketing years, according to Canadian Grain




Former CWB directors appealing Queen’s Bench decision

Eight former farmer-elected Canadian Wheat Board directors are appealing Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Shane Perlmutter’s Feb. 24 decision not to protect the board’s single desk while the courts determine the legality of a federal law killing it. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz is asking why the directors don’t “move on,” but the directors contend


Cost versus benefit

Canada’s wheat-grading system might be costing more than the benefit it returns, says Richardson International’s vice-president of corporate affairs and general counsel, Jean-Marc Ruest. To ensure the quality of Canadian milling wheat-variety registration and wheat classes are regulated. There are many grades within each class, plus differentials for protein content. “People aren’t sure if the



CWB offering new crop prices, contracts now

After months of anticipation the CWB started offering new crop prices and contracts March 29. Farmers can see what the CWB is offering under its Future First and deferred delivery price on its website (www.cwb.ca). The site has tools for calculating those prices based on grade (export position) and delivery month. Farmers must then confirm

IGC sees record maize crop in 2012-13

Global maize production is projected to rise to a record 900 million tonnes in 2012-13, outstripping demand for the first time since the 2008-09 season, the International Grains Council said April 2. The IGC, in a monthly report, also cut its forecast for the global maize stocks at the end of the 2011-12 season following