Exports are so important to the Canadian beef industry, and early 2020 was shaping up to be a record year for global demand. Then, COVID-19 happened. Statistics Canada recently released the January to March numbers for Canadian beef exports, and as Brenna Grant, manager of research services for CanFax, explains, there is evidence of COVID-19… Read More
The cattle and beef industries have been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. To answer some of the timely questions this RealAg LIVE! edition features Fawn Jackson, director of government and international relations at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. In the video below, host Shaun Haney and Fawn discuss: Domestic and U.S. cattle processing, where things… Read More
The federal government has been criticized for its handling of China both diplomatically and on trade. That said, Canada is a tiny country economically, and it’s rather difficult to throw weight around when you don’t have it. Dr. Gordon Houlden, director of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, says that some of China’s… Read More
Early reports today that China would fully re-open its market to all Canadian canola are not correct, according to both the Canola Council of Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Today marks four years since Canada signed an MOU with China on the blackleg issue. Discussion this week between China and Canada have been centred… Read More
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic ban began impacting trade flows out — and in — to China and other overseas markets, Canada’s railways were struggling to catch up from a challenging shipping season. An 8-day strike, closed western lines due to slides, and then the blockades in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en people of B.C., meant… Read More
Grain elevators in both western and eastern Canada are reporting delays in accessing containers to fill for overseas customers. Regular train traffic is catching up after a series of setbacks this winter — a strike, a rock slide on the western tracks, and then blockades — but container traffic is another beast entirely. Container traffic… Read More
Japan has closed all schools for a month, Romanians are facing empty supermarket shelves, and some firms in England have asked staff to work from home. The fear of coronavirus is spreading, and it’s spreading into the commodity markets. “Traders and markets caught obviously the fear of the virus,” says Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim… Read More
News of the U.S./China trade deal has largely focused on China agreeing to purchase $80 billion in U.S. agricultural goods over the next two years, but there are other clauses in the text of the deal that have the potential for a large impact on American and Canadian beef producers. The deal also includes a… Read More
Fresh off of the signing of the Phase One trade deal three weeks ago between the U.S, and China, concern is rising on whether the coronavirus outbreak in China will impact the country’s ability to meet its purchase commitments. Earlier this week, reports that China will seek “flexibility” from the U.S. on the deal were… Read More
At first it seems counterintuitive, since canola values usually follow soybean prices, but reduced demand for soybeans in China as a result of African swine fever (ASF) is contributing to a bullish scenario for canola prices, according to a senior analyst with Oil World. As China’s demand for soy protein has fallen due to the… Read More
Canada’s relationship with China could get worse before it gets better, depending on the outcome of the U.S. extradition request for Chinese telecommunications executive Meng Wanzhou, according to an expert on Chinese affairs at the University of Alberta. Farmers in both Canada and the U.S. have been paying close attention to their respective country’s relationship… Read More
It has not been a great two weeks for the agricultural commodity market, as selling pressure has dominated the grain complex. Although corn found positive territory on Tuesday, the rest of the grain commodities were in the red again. “The market had a high expectation of China purchases post-trade deal signing and that has not… Read More
To the relief of farmers, China and the U.S. have agreed and signed Phase One of a “multi-phase” trade deal. It remains to be seen whether this is a truce, a pause, or an easing of tensions, but farmers are encouraged. The Phase One deal is being met with high amounts of bipartisan criticism due… Read More
Manitoba Ag Days may mark a beginning to the agriculture year ahead, but the hangover of 2019 is still firmly in place for the province’s farmers. A rough harvest is being made worse by the new carbon tax added to grain drying fuel bills, canola from two main exporters (one Winnipeg-based) is still blocked from… Read More
When thinking of Canadian pulse exports, most think of India. That thinking needs to evolve, says Chuck Penner, founder and grain market analyst for LeftField Commodity Research. “A number of years ago we were getting all hot and bothered about massive volumes, and it was great business while it was there,” Penner says. “So we… Read More