USDA surprises by standing pat on corn stocks

chicago / reuters / The U.S. Department of Agriculture pegged U.S. corn ending stocks in the 2011-12 marketing year (Sept./Aug.) at 801 million bushels, April 10. That’s above trade estimates for 721 million and unchanged from its March estimate. USDA estimated U.S. soybean ending stocks at 250 million bushels, above trade estimates for 246 million



South American soy crop outlook worsens

Hamburg / Reuters /Soybean crops in Argentina and Brazil have suffered from more poor weather and harvest forecasts for the two countries may have to be cut by a combined two million to three million tonnes, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World said April 3. “New reports have been received confirming additional crop losses, further eroding

Chinese sign record-large U.S. soy purchase agreement

A Chinese trade delegation signed deals Feb. 17 to buy a record amount of U.S. soybeans during a visit to the United States at a time when a harsh drought has slashed crops in rival soy exporters in South America. The delegation inked agreements for 13.4 million tonnes valued at $6.7 billion, the U.S. Soybean



Brazil planning giant Amazon soybean port

rio de janeiro / reuters / Brazilian port authorities are planning a new grains port in the Amazon region, a terminal designed to become the country’s largest soybean export centre and to slash transportation costs for farmers, the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper reported Feb. 18. The proposed 18-million-tonne-a-year Port of Outeiro would be built


China’s “Feed King” calls for opening corn trade

beijing / reuters / China should fully liberalize its corn trade, according to the founder of the country’s largest private agricultural business. China currently maintains a quota system over grains imports in an attempt to grow almost all of its grains domestically. But as meat consumption rises, feed companies are increasingly chafing against the restrictions.



USDA favours corn with 2012 crop insurance price guarantees

Chicago / Reuters / Crop insurance price guarantees for 2012 should encourage U.S. farmers to plant corn over soybeans, according to analysts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture set the guarantees, which act as the floor price for crop insurance policies, at $5.68 per bushel for corn and $12.55 a bushel for soybeans across most of

Expect canola industry to seek even more acres

ICE Futures Canada canola contracts remained pointed decidedly higher during the week ended Feb. 17, showing no real signs of slowing down. Similar gains in the Chicago soy complex did provide some underlying support to the Canadian futures, but canola was also benefiting from its own bullish fundamental and technical factors. Depending on the chart