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


U.S. farm co-op buying Canada durum

The largest U.S. grain co-operative, CHS Inc., is buying Canadian durum and looks to bulk up on other crops there to seize the “phenomenal” opportunity left by the end of the Canadian Wheat Board marketing monopoly later this year, a CHS executive told Reuters Feb. 27. In mid-December, a Canadian bill became law that will

CFIA accountability process strengthened

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is taking steps to become more accountable to farmers and food processors. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has released new CFIA policies on rights and services that outline its service standards and what the agri-food sector can expect when dealing with the agency. “We know there is always room to improve,”



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.


China to partly lift ban on Canada canola imports

beijing / reuters /Chinese quarantine authorities will allow imports of Canadian canola by some selected crushers located in major growing areas, partially lifting a 2009 ban it imposed because of blackleg concerns. The import relaxation, likely to be cleared in the second half of the year, would further boost Canadian canola exports later in the

Grain commission defended

With the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly soon to disappear there’s talk of overhauling Canada’s grading and quality control system, which begs the question: is the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) still needed? “The short answer is yes, there is a need for the grain commission,” chief commissioner Elwin Hermanson said in an interview March 1. “If


Icky to some, delicacy to others

The sight of a pretty Chinese girl preparing to gobble down a cooked chicken head might be a turn-off for North American meat eaters, but it represents a sexy new market for livestock producers. Asians are willing to pay a premium for the privilege of eating animal parts the industry can’t give away in domestic

Analysts wonder when, how feeder demand will break

Feeder cattle moving through Manitoba’s auction yards continued to see good demand and firm prices during the week ended March 2. “Prices are staying very strong,” said Keith Cleaver of Heartland Livestock Services at Brandon, citing the continued firmness in U.S. futures together with a reduction in cattle numbers in Western Canada as supportive influences.