Insights and Stories of Rod Nickel

Apr. 2, 2013 at 4:03 pm CDT

China’s state-owned agricultural trading company, Cofco, has complained about the poor baking performance of some Canadian spring wheat shipments and has suggested it may import more U.S. wheat instead, Canadian industry officials say. Cofco raised concerns about weak gluten strength in some Canadian wheat shipments last month with a visiting […]

By Rod Nickel

Apr. 2, 2013 at 8:55 am CDT

Chicago corn tumbled to its biggest two-day drop since mid-1996, touching the lowest price in nine months, as larger-than-expected U.S. stockpiles weighed down the market. Pressured by corn, Chicago wheat also registered its lowest nearby price in nine months, and soybeans touched a nearly three-month low. Chicago Board of Trade […]

By Rod Nickel

Mar. 22, 2013 at 3:10 pm CDT

Canadian corn is flowing to U.S. ethanol plants and feed suppliers in larger than usual volumes, with up to one million tonnes expected in 2012-13, as a large Ontario crop backfills demand after last year’s severe U.S. drought. Canada is normally a net importer of corn, feeding Eastern Canada’s pigs […]

By Karl Plume, Rod Nickel

Mar. 15, 2013 at 4:15 am CDT

Canadian exports of canola, a key source of vegetable oil, have fallen sharply as the crop becomes too expensive for importers after a disappointing harvest. Canada, the biggest exporter of canola, has shipped about 4.7 million tonnes of canola in 2012/13 through March 3, down 17 per cent from the […]

By Rod Nickel

Mar. 5, 2013 at 10:18 am CST

Undeveloped Canadian potash projects are drawing investment from a new and unexpected source, as buyers of the crop nutrient in India cross over to the industry’s supply side. The strong interest by Indian fertilizer companies in equity stakes and agreements to take a certain percentage of a supplier’s production is […]

By Rod Nickel