Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

Ukraine ceasefire may, or may not, weigh on wheat

Feb. 12, 2015 at 6:14 pm CST

CNS Canada –– A tentative ceasefire in eastern Ukraine could lead to adjustments in the global grain markets, with softening wheat prices a possibility. Conflict in eastern Ukraine has been an underlying factor in grains and oilseeds markets over the past year, with the uncertainty of the situation providing both […]

Chickpea prices subdued, bounce unlikely in short term

Feb. 11, 2015 at 6:41 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Bulk shipping cost index sinks to 30-year lows

Feb. 10, 2015 at 12:32 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Nearby lows likely in for wheat futures

Feb. 5, 2015 at 6:22 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

ICE weekly outlook: Canola ‘reasonably balanced’

Feb. 4, 2015 at 7:23 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Prairie CWRS bids weaken slightly

Feb. 2, 2015 at 6:15 pm CST

CNS Canada — Average cash bids for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat generally moved lower during the week ended Friday. Average CWRS prices lost about C$1-$4 per tonne, with prices ranging from about $197 per tonne in north-central Saskatchewan to $216 per tonne in Manitoba, according to bids from […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Wheat basis muddied in Western Canada

Jan. 30, 2015 at 7:36 pm CST

CNS Canada — The difference between futures markets and cash markets for any exchange-traded commodities can usually be brought into focus by the basis — that is, except in Prairie wheat, where that focus has now gone fuzzy. Typically, a wide or narrow basis provides some indication of how representative […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

All crops not equal in face of weakening dollar

Jan. 29, 2015 at 6:09 pm CST

CNS Canada –– With the Canadian dollar falling to its weakest levels relative to its U.S. counterpart in six years, the general sentiment holds it should be good news for exporters, such as Canadian grain farmers. However, any net benefit may depend on what exactly is being exported and who […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Prairie crop acres forecast to rise across the board

Jan. 27, 2015 at 5:02 pm CST

CNS Canada –– Just about every major crop grown in the Canadian Prairies is forecast to come out a winner in the annual fight for acres this year, with unseeded area the only place where reductions are forecast, according to early estimates. “Most crops are likely to increase this year, […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Prairie CWRS bids improve slightly despite weaker futures

Jan. 26, 2015 at 7:08 pm CST

CNS Canada — Average cash bids for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat generally moved higher during the week ended Friday, despite continued weakness in U.S. futures, as basis levels improved in many areas. Average CWRS prices were steady to up by as much as $4 per tonne, with the […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin