EU approves six GM maize varieties for import
The European Union's executive branch has approved six genetically modified (GM) maize varieties for import to the bloc in food and animal feed, a further sign of its desire to speed up EU decisions on GM.Under EU rules, the European Commission granted the import approvals unilaterally after EU farm ministers failed to reach a decision on the applications in June.
China checks grain hoarding to curb price rises
China has urged local governments to put a stop to hoarding and price speculation in agricultural markets.Enterprises should strictly adhere to grain pricing policies and are not allowed to raise prices in ways that cause market disorder.
Australian wheat seen facing less competition in Asia
Australian wheat is likely to meet less competition in the Asian market in 2011 as there will be less rival Black Sea grain, which was threatening its dominance in the last few years. Wheat from Australia, the world's fourth largest exporter, could also take a bigger share of the Middle Eastern and African markets, industry executives said on Wednesday.
India to sell grains to Nepal, Bangladesh
India will sell 300,000 tonnes of wheat and rice through diplomatic channels to Bangladesh and Nepal, as revived monsoon rains have boosted crop prospects.India holds surplus stocks of wheat and rice, but it has severely curtailed grain exports in recent years to ensure steady domestic supplies.
US farmers urge sanctions against EU's GM crop ban
The largest U.S. farm group has urged the Obama administration to begin steps towards imposing sanctions on the European Union in a longrunning dispute over the EU's treatment of genetically modified crops.The American Farm Bureau Federation, in recent comments given to the administration, complained the EU still has not complied with a 2006 World Trade Organization ruling against its "de facto" moratorium on approving new varieties of biotech crops for sale in the 27-nation bloc.
Russia denies export ban as EU wheat hits peak
Russia has denied market talk it was restricting grain exports, pulling European wheat prices back from contract highs but not ending concerns about the impact of Russia's worst drought in years.Traders said Russia's drought could lead Moscow to restrict exports if it judged its internal food security was at risk or on worries rising grain prices could threaten inflation rates.
Russia may harvest below 80 mln T grain
Russia may harvest less than 80 million tonnes of grain this year as severe drought has hit many key grain-growing regions, Deputy Economy Minister Andrei Klepach said in late July .The previous official grain crop forecast was 80-85 million tonnes. Now it is believed that the outcome of the year may be less than 80 million.
Vietnam to double sugar imports to 300,000 T-reports
Vietnam will import another 150,000 tonnes of sugar in coming months to offset a domestic shortage and stabilise prices, bringing the total this year to 300,000 tonnes.The agriculture ministry and trade ministry have agreed on the additional imports.
US soymeal demand to slip again in 2010-Oil World
Soymeal consumption in the United States is set to decline for a third year in the 2009/10 season, while demand is rising in Brazil and Russia.U.S. consumption of soymeal is expected to amount to about 27.6 million tonnes in October/September 2009/10, down from 27.9 million tonnes in the previous season.
EU bioethanol production rises 31% in 2009 -body
Bioethanol production in the European Union rose by 31 percent in 2009, while consumption grew by 23 percent.The EU production was estimated at 3.7 billion litres, up from 2.8 billion the previous year, while consumption climbed to 4.3 billion from 3.5 billion.
Brazil to open second gen. ethanol mill in 2012
Brazil will produce second generation ethanol biofuel from cellulosic plant material on a commercial scale from 2012 as progress made in cutting costs makes the process more viable.
Brazil's industry-funded Cane Technology Center (CTC) said the new plant will adjoin an existing cane mill and use bagasse and straw left over from conventional sugar-derived ethanol production.
Canola oil would qualify for biodiesel mandate-EPA
Biodiesel made from canola oil would emit 50 percent less greenhouse gas than petroleum diesel fuel, which would make it eligible for the U.S. mandate to increase renewable fuel production.EPA data that compares greenhouse gas emissions between biodiesel and conventional diesel, released on Monday, shows canola oil would meet a key eligibility requirement for the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard program.
Australia to boost canola exports as Canada output hit
Australia is expecting to corner a larger share of the canola market next year on the back of bumper production and prospects for poor output in Canada when prices are close to their highest in a year. The nation is likely to harvest around 2.2 million tonnes of canola in November and December, an increase of around 16 percent from last year on near-perfect growing conditions.
Drought may halve Russian grain exports
It is believed that severe drought that has hit many Russian grain-growing regions may nearly halve grain exports to 12 million tonnes in the 2010/11 crop year started on July 1 from 22 million tonnes in the previous year.Wheat exports excluding flour may fall to 11 million tonnes from a record 18.2 million tonnes in the 2009/10 season. Barley exports this year may total 0.5 million tonnes, down from 2.8 million tonnes in the previous crop year.
Sudanese sugar firm to expand output to 500,000 T
The state Sudanese Sugar Company is renovating four existing factories to increase output to 500,000 tonnes of sugar by November 2013 and upgrade quality.Tcompany also planned three new factories with a total of 375,000 tonnes of capacity and had already secured funding of $260 million from China for one 125,000 tonne capacity plant with a refinery in the central Sennar state.