Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

Durum prices relatively steady

Dec. 22, 2014 at 9:37 am CST

Commodity News Service Canada — The volatility in the global wheat markets in recent weeks has largely bypassed durum, which has seen its premiums over hard red spring wheat erode slightly in Western Canada. “Durum does what it wants, when it wants,” said a Saskatchewan-based durum broker, noting that the […]

Tighter special crops stocks: Ag Canada

Dec. 22, 2014 at 9:28 am CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Louis Dreyfus Yorkton plant reopens

Dec. 19, 2014 at 10:41 am CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Dreyfus’ Yorkton canola crush plant status still unclear

Dec. 17, 2014 at 6:47 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

‘No news is good news’ for Canadian canola exports

Dec. 16, 2014 at 5:37 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

CWRS wheat bids edge up across Prairies

Dec. 15, 2014 at 7:51 pm CST

CNS Canada –– Average cash bids for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat edged up by a dollar per tonne on average during the week ended Friday. In Manitoba, the average CWRS price rose to just under $234 per tonne, from $233 the previous week. Gains were similar across the […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Russian export uncertainty driving U.S. wheat futures

Dec. 15, 2014 at 7:16 pm CST

CNS Canada — Uncertainty over Russian exports has brought some volatility to U.S. wheat markets, with shifting speculation on the country’s intentions a major driver in day-to-day futures trade. “We’ve seen the market see-saw back and forth, with whatever Russia said (influencing) the way the market moved,” said market analyst […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Feed barley market quiet, awaiting new year

Dec. 11, 2014 at 6:48 pm CST

CNS Canada –– The feed barley market is in the middle of its seasonal slowdown. While demand should pick back up in the New Year, the prices might not have much room to the upside, given ample feed wheat supplies. “If you didn’t look at the calendar, you could still […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

ICE weekly outlook: Canola up, watching beans

Dec. 10, 2014 at 5:11 pm CST

CNS Canada — ICE Futures Canada canola contracts posted solid gains during the week ended Wednesday, despite the release of a relatively bearish Statistics Canada production report during the period. StatsCan pegged the country’s 2014-15 canola crop at 15.5 million tonnes — about 1.5 million tonnes above earlier guesses and […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Strong hog sector facing uncertain 2015

Dec. 9, 2014 at 7:26 pm CST

CNS Canada — Western Canadian hog farmers are facing an uncertain future from a marketing perspective heading into 2015, with a number of factors on both the supply and demand sides of the equation that could swing prices one way or the other. “After a very profitable 2014… we’re at […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin