Ukraine says it has alternatives if Black Sea Grain Initiative not extended
Ukraine said it has alternate ways of transporting grain if the Black Sea agreement is not extended on May 18, Reuters reported. The agriculture ministry said not extending the agreement, as Russia has threatened, would not be an “apocalyptic scenario.”
Bunge Q1 earnings fall short of last year’s record
First-quarter earnings at Bunge Ltd. fell short of last year’s record results, dragged down in part by sluggish oilseed processing results in Argentina, Asia and Europe, which more than offset strong crush margins in North America and Brazil. Bunge net income in the first quarter ended March 31 was $632 million, equal to $4.15 per share on the common stock, down 8.2% from $688 million, or $4.48 per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Sales totaled $15.33 billion,…
Australian wheat output projected to decline
After three consecutive years of record-setting wheat crops in Australia, production in marketing year 2023-24 is forecast to dip 25% from the previous year to what would still be the fourth largest total over the last 10 years, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture. “Favorable conditions around the time of winter grain planting across most production areas of Australia bodes well for the establishment and early…
US soft red winter wheat forecast at 405 million bushels
A panel of flour millers and wheat merchandisers on April 25 forecast soft red winter wheat production in the United States in 2023 at 404.923 million bushels, up 68.297 million bushels, or 20%, from 336.626 million bushels in 2022. The soft red winter wheat crop as projected would be the largest dating back to the 2014 crop year, when 454.531 million bushels were harvested, and the second largest since a recent production peak of 568.481 million bushels in 2013.
EU plans help for farmers in countries bordering Ukraine
The European Union (EU) is planning a package worth 100 million euros ($109.32 million) to support farmers as countries bordering Ukraine have begun to restrict imports of Ukrainian cereals that they say have depressed their domestic market prices, Reuters reported, citing a European Commission spokesperson.
Bunge to acquire multi-oil refinery
Bunge Ltd., through its Bunge Loders Croklaan joint venture with IOI Corporation Berhad, has entered an agreement to acquire a newly constructed, port-based refinery from Fuji Oil New Orleans, LLC. The refinery is located in IMTT’s (International-Matex Tank Terminals) Avondale Terminal, Louisiana. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Australia, China seek truce in barley dispute.
Australia announced on April 11 that it has taken steps to attempt to reopen the Chinese market to Australian barley, which essentially has been banned by China during the past three years after its government imposed an 80% import tariff in 2020.
US spring wheat plantings at a 50-year low
The US Department of Agriculture’s March 31 Prospective Plantings report brought some surprises but may ultimately yield to weather as the primary final planting factor this spring. The USDA said farmers intend to plant 91.996 million acres to corn in 2023, up 4% from last year, 87.505 million acres to soybeans, up 0.1%, and 49.855 million acres to all wheat, up 9%, including winter wheat, up 13%, durum, up 9% and spring wheat other than durum, down 2.4%. Area planted…
Cargill to stop elevating Russian grain exports.
Citing mounting challenges to its grain export operations in Russia, Cargill will cease elevating Russian grain in the new export season that begins July 1.
Focus on South Korea
With less than a quarter of its land used for agriculture, South Korea relies heavily on imports, particularly wheat and corn, while producing a significant amount of rice.