Insights and Stories on Markets

Durum up amid North African shortage concerns

Jan. 25, 2011 at 5:46 pm CST

(Commodity News Service Canada) –– The recent unrest in North Africa and the Middle East, including political upheaval in Tunisia and mass protests in Egypt, is partially due to surging food costs. The unrest has led to talk of increased demand for grains from the region, as governments work to […]

Klassen: Cattle markets coming under pressure

Jan. 25, 2011 at 12:03 am CST

By Jerry Klassen

Canola crush margins ease, demand remains strong

Jan. 21, 2011 at 6:51 pm CST

By Dwayne Klassen

Analysts see return to profits for hog farmers

Jan. 21, 2011 at 6:44 pm CST

By Rod Nickel

Sunflowers edge higher

Jan. 20, 2011 at 6:35 pm CST

By Brent Harder

Barley prices hold steady, for now

Jan. 20, 2011 at 6:24 am CST

(Commodity News Service Canada) — The recent surge in commodity prices has not had a direct correlation to barley prices — yet. Jim Beusekom, with Marketplace Commodities in Lethbridge, said current demand for barley is not very strong right now. “End users are pulling back a bit, as they are […]

By Brent Harder

Funds’ commodity holdings could hit $500 billion

Jan. 20, 2011 at 6:17 am CST

(Reuters) –– Commodity investments could near half a trillion dollars by the end of 2011 as the return of $100 oil and a broad-based rally heighten interest in the asset class to levels not seen since 2008. But the wave of money now hitting commodities is more sophisticated and discerning […]

By claire Milhench david-sheppard

Klassen: Feeder cattle edge higher

Jan. 18, 2011 at 1:21 pm CST

The feeder cattle market for 2011 started where 2010 left off. Last week’s prices were comparable to values in late December on the first real market test for the year. In southern Alberta, lightweight steer calves under 400 pounds brought back $160 to $175 per hundredweight; 400- to 500-lb. steers […]

By Jerry Klassen

Higher prices will test consumers’ taste for beef

Jan. 18, 2011 at 1:12 pm CST

(Reuters) — Lady Gaga’s favourite Judas Priest burger will still cost $12 at Kuma’s Corner as the trendy Chicago eatery resists raising prices, even though the cost of making that burger has gone up. “You can’t pass it on, not in times like this,” Kuma’s manager Frank DeBoss said of […]

By bob-burgdorfer

Grain rally less speculative than in 2008: Ritz

Jan. 17, 2011 at 6:19 pm CST

(Reuters) — The recent rally in grain and oilseed prices is based more on concerns about crop levels than on speculation by investors, Canada’s agriculture minister said on Monday. Prices of crops such as wheat, corn, soybeans and canola are at their highest levels in more 2-1/2 years amid flooding […]

By Rod Nickel