Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

India looking at large lentil crop, but pulses down overall

Jan. 30, 2024 at 2:36 pm CST

India may be looking at a record large red lentil crop in 2023/24, although poor monsoon rains are expected to cut into total pulse area and production, according to reports out of the country.

Large fund short position in canola edges lower

Jan. 29, 2024 at 11:37 am CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

ICE canola weekly outlook: Market stabilizing, but for how long?

Jan. 24, 2024 at 4:43 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Only minor acreage shifts expected for most Canadian crops in 2024

Jan. 24, 2024 at 10:07 am CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Farmer walks toward an air seeder with a blue sky above.

Early signs point to increased crop production in 2024/25: AAFC

Jan. 22, 2024 at 5:00 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Record large short position grows in canola

Jan. 22, 2024 at 10:57 am CST

The record large net short position in ICE Futures canola continued to rise in mid-January, as fund traders put on more bearish bets and liquidated long positions, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Western Canadian wheat bids trend down with U.S. futures

Jan. 19, 2024 at 3:22 pm CST

Spring wheat bids in Western Canada continued to trend lower during the week ended Jan. 18, as a move to contract lows in the United States futures weighed on values and countered support from a weaker Canadian dollar.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Western Canadian feed market cold, but quiet

Jan. 18, 2024 at 4:09 pm CST

Extreme cold temperatures in Western Canada have done little to move the needle on feed grain markets as corn continues to come up from the United States and end users appear well covered for the time being.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Bulk ocean freight rates fall from highs despite uncertainty

Jan. 17, 2024 at 8:36 am CST

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), a major indicator of bulk shipping rates, has dropped sharply over the past month after hitting 18-month highs in early December. Meanwhile, container rates have climbed higher over the same period as attacks by Houthi militants in the Red Sea have caused many shipping companies to divert their vessels.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

USDA confirms larger U.S. lentil/pea/chickpea crops

Jan. 16, 2024 at 4:04 pm CST

Final production estimates for the past growing season from the United States Department of Agriculture confirmed larger lentil, dry pea and chickpea crops in the country in 2023/24 compared to the previous year, as yields improved for all three crops. However, edible bean production was down slightly as both yields and seeded area were down for the crop.

By Phil Franz-Warkentin