Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

Thunder Bay grain shipments up sharply

Jun. 3, 2014 at 6:07 pm CDT

CNS Canada — The Port of Thunder Bay has completed its busiest month in over a decade, moving over 1.5 million tonnes of cargo in May as the late start to this year’s season had shippers playing catch-up. Grain shipments accounted for the bulk of the activity in Thunder Bay, […]

Prairie wheat bids continue to slide

Jun. 2, 2014 at 4:42 pm CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Large green pea crop prospects to weigh on prices

Jun. 2, 2014 at 2:44 am CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

U.S. new-crop soybeans and corn under pressure

May. 28, 2014 at 7:32 pm CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Prairie wheat bids drift lower with U.S. futures

May. 27, 2014 at 12:24 am CDT

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Don’t write off ICE Canada’s grain futures just yet

May. 23, 2014 at 3:37 pm CDT

CNS Canada — Milling wheat and durum contracts offered by ICE Futures Canada have not seen any actual trade in over a year, and it’s been five months since feed barley last had any open interest — but the exchange isn’t ready to give up on the grain contracts just […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

ICE weekly outlook: Canola nearing resistance

May. 22, 2014 at 2:39 am CDT

CNS Canada –– ICE Futures Canada canola contracts moved higher during the week ended Wednesday, with the biggest gains in the new-crop months as concerns over planting delays in parts of Western Canada provided some support and the spreads narrowed in. However, canola may be running into resistance to the […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Prairie winter wheat in good shape, analyst says

May. 13, 2014 at 4:57 pm CDT

CNS Canada — Winter wheat crops across Western Canada are generally in good shape, according to a CWB analyst, although the lateness of the spring thaw will also push back the harvest in many areas. “The winter wheat is in reasonably good shape,” said Bruce Burnett, a CWB weather and […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Canola crush margins easing

May. 12, 2014 at 6:14 pm CDT

CNS Canada — Canadian canola crush margins are finally starting to ease into more traditional levels, after hitting their highest prices ever over the winter months. Crush margins provide an indication of the profitability of the product values relative to the seed cost when processing canola, with exchange rates also […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Higher bacon prices still to come, analyst says

May. 8, 2014 at 7:03 pm CDT

CNS Canada — Rising pork prices and shrinking bacon packages have made headlines across Canada recently — but consumers should prepare to spend even more for bacon over the next few months, as processors between the farmer and the grocery store are still seen to be losing money. Western Canadian […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin