Biofuels preparing to take flight
After soaring in the early 2000s only to see more modest growth in recent years, the biofuels industry might be on the verge of flying high again … about 35,000 feet high to be exact. A push by “green” energy proponents for a more environmentally friendly airline fuel has led to the development of sustainable...
Rain improves US Plains wheat conditions
Recent rainfall has quickly changed the direction of winter wheat crop conditions in the US central and southern Plains. Growers hope additional rain in forecasts signals a pattern change to pull those regions out of drought, promote emergence before the hard red winter wheat crop goes dormant, and lessen the burden on spring precipitation to...
Renewables, Trade segments boost The Andersons earnings
Strong renewables production and improved results in the Trade segment boosted The Andersons net income attributable to the company to $27 million, equal to 80¢ per share on the common stock, for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, up from $9.7 million, or 28¢ per share, in the same quarter a year earlier. “Overall, we...
US grain exports in all forms increase 26%
Exports of US grains in all forms increased by 26% to 109.4 million tonnes in the 2023-24 marketing year, according to data released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The exports, valued at $48 billion, were bolstered by a record 1.75 billion gallons of ethanol sold internationally and a single-market record 23.4 million tonnes...
Drought stymies Brazilian grain shipments
A severe drought in northern Brazil has significantly lowered water levels on the Tapajos waterway, halting grain shipments. Brazilian port terminal group Amport, which represents firms such as Cargill and Louis Dreyfus, told Reuters that navigation of barge convoys carrying grains in the Tapajos has been halted since Oct. 4, and is expected to resume in November if...
Russian missiles strike grain ships
A Russian missile struck a grain vessel docked at the Port of Odesa on Oct. 7, killing one person and injuring five crew members, Reuters reported, citing Ukrainian officials. It was the second attack on a docked grain ship in Ukraine in as many days, as a vessel at the nearby Port of Pivdennyi carrying 6,000 tonnes...
India ends non-basmati rice export ban
The Indian government will resume non-basmati white rice exports with a minimum floor price of $490 per tonne, ending a ban that started in July 2023. The government has gradually eased restrictions on premium, aromatic basmati and parboiled varieties in the last several weeks. It eliminated the minimum floor price for basmati rice exports and...
Egypt expected to produce more wheat in 2024-25
According to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture, Egypt is expected to produce more wheat in 2024-25 as the government encourages an increased planted area and higher yields. Production is estimated at 9.2 million tonnes, up from 8.87 million a year earlier. The FAS said that High...
Grains and oilseeds powerhouse
The presence of two of the world’s most important agricultural producers and exporters — Brazil and Argentina — makes South America a powerhouse of world grains and oilseeds production and trade. The two make the region the leader in world soybean production, also producing large crops of maize (corn) and a significant tonnage of wheat....
Brazil’s grain production dips in 2023-24
Grain production in Brazil is estimated at 298.41 million tonnes for the 2023-24 marketing year, a drop of 21.4 million tonnes compared to the previous year, according to Conab, the country’s food supply and statistics agency. This would still be the second largest crop in the survey’s history. In its 12th Grain Harvest Survey for 2023-24...