Stories for April 29th 2010
Fish Meal Price Rockets Because of Chilean Earthquake Damage to Plants
The earthquake in Chile earlier this year destroyed Chilean processing plants tightening world supply of fishmeal and causing world market prices to hit an all-time high. Chile is the world’s second biggest exporter of fishmeal, second only to Peru.
Australia Opens Brine Shrimp Farm, Key Component in Aquaculture Food Chain
Australian Fisheries Minister Norman Moore embraced the aquaculture potential of Western Australia with the opening of a cutting edge-design commercial brine shrimp farm at Port Gregory, near Geraldton.
Chávez Calls for Venezuela’s Mercosur Incorporation Before Lula da Silva Leaves Office
President Hugo Chávez expects Venezuela will be fully incorporated to Mercosur before Brazilian president Lula da Silva steps down from office next January first. The two leaders met Wednesday in Brasilia and also agreed to strengthen Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
Outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Japan Includes Cows and Pigs
Japan has discovered suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease in pigs at a farm in Miyazaki prefecture, where the government confirmed the first outbreak since 2000 in cows last week.
Farm Exports Leading Latam Strong Recovery, Says FAO
Latinamerica and the Caribbean are undergoing a strong recovery boosted mainly by agriculture exports, said José Graziano da Silva, head of FAO’s regional office in Panama, during the presentation of the Report on Agriculture and Rural Development 2010 Prospects for Latinamerica.
Cuba Promotes Building of “Own Effort Homes” to Help With Lack of Housing
Cuba began granting licenses to people to build homes “with their own effort”, an initiative approved last year by President Raúl Castro. The granting of the permits was finally approved by the National Housing Institute for people who are the owners of land, homes or other areas included in the new resolution.
Fearing an Over-Heated Economy Brazil Hikes Basic Rate 75 Points to 9.5%
Central Bank of Brazil increased on Wednesday the benchmark interest rate for the first time in 19 months in an effort to cool an economy forecast to expand 6% this year, one of the highest rates in two decades.
Obama Nominees for the Fed Support “Job Creation and Low Rates”
US President Barack Obama is expected to announce this week his choice of Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Janet Yellen as vice-chairman of the Fed Board of Governors, according to congressional sources.
Argentina Opens Defaulted Sovereign Bonds’ Swap Next Monday
Argentina filed with United States regulators the terms of its offer to swap up to 20 billion US dollars in defaulted debt, bringing the exchange a step closer to launching.
Sugar Prices Fall on Prospects of Abundant Crops in Brazil and India
Sugar fell in New York and London, reversing earlier advances, as an improved outlook for production in Brazil and normal rainfall in India outweighed concern that supplies will fall short.
