Insights and Stories of Phil Franz-Warkentin

ICE weekly outlook: Canola off highs, rangebound

Jan. 15, 2020 at 11:51 pm CST

MarketsFarm — ICE Futures canola contracts tested long-time chart resistance during the week ended Wednesday, but failed to break higher and retreated to hold rangebound overall. The Phase One trade deal signed Wednesday between the U.S. and China failed to give the grain and oilseed markets a boost, as the […]

Canary seed one step closer to ‘official’ status

Jan. 14, 2020 at 8:54 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Solid crush more than makes up for slow canola exports

Jan. 12, 2020 at 9:07 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Fund short-covering continues in canola, soybeans

Jan. 11, 2020 at 2:01 am CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Feed weekly outlook: Firm undertone to Prairie grains

Jan. 9, 2020 at 1:18 pm CST

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Pulse weekly outlook: Red lentils see some strength

Jan. 7, 2020 at 9:39 pm CST

MarketsFarm — The red lentil market in Western Canada is seeing some life to start the New Year, with improved bids creating some marketing opportunities. “Green lentil prices have been steady since the end of 2019, but red lentils are the one that’s jumped,” said Kevin Silzer, vice-president with Rayglen […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Ocean freight rates trending lower

Jan. 6, 2020 at 6:56 pm CST

MarketsFarm — The Baltic Dry Index has fallen sharply over the past four months, dropping below 1,000 points to start the New Year. A slowdown in iron-ore activity, as high prices have had Chinese mills buying up domestic inventories rather than importing from overseas, accounted for much of the general […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Prairie cash wheat: Bids rise over holidays

Jan. 3, 2020 at 9:53 pm CST

MarketsFarm — Hard red spring wheat bids in Western Canada posted solid gains during the two-week holiday period ended Thursday, as gains in U.S. futures more than made up for the bearish influence of the rising Canadian dollar. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Feed weekly outlook: Steady now but supplies will weigh

Jan. 3, 2020 at 8:37 pm CST

MarketsFarm — Recent strength in U.S. wheat futures may be lending some spillover support to Canadian feed grain bids, but large supplies and a lack of aggressive demand kept the market steady heading into the New Year. The rise in wheat futures “has made the farmer a more reluctant seller,” […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Palm oil 101: Sought-after crop holds sway over oilseed trade

Dec. 31, 2019 at 2:25 am CST

MarketsFarm — Palm oil may be grown halfway around the world in conditions much different than on the Canadian Prairies, but the outsized influence of the crop on world oilseed markets makes it an important factor to watch when considering canola prices. Indonesia and Malaysia are the world’s largest producers […]

By Phil Franz-Warkentin