Stories for 2008

Friday, February 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Forecasts of another boom year for soybean farmers

The German Hamburg based publication Oil World has cut its estimate of the Brazilian 2007/08 soy crop to 59.3 million tons, down from the previous 59.8 million tons.
Friday, February 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Lack of Argentine gas forces red numbers on Magallanes region

Magallanes Region economic activity plummeted 22.7% during the last quarter of 2007 which meant the region ended the twelve month period with a surprising negative performance of 11.5%, according to the local chapter of Chile's National Statistics Institute, INE.
Friday, February 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Regional presidential summit to address winter gas supply

A presidential summit of Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia leaders is scheduled for next February 23 in Buenos Aires to try and find a solution to the anticipated shortage of Bolivian natural gas supply next winter if as estimated Argentine and Brazilian demand increases over last year's volume.
Friday, February 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
China's trade surplus in January jumps beyond all forecasts

China's trade surplus soared 22.7% in January as the economy continued to boom despite efforts to cool the rate of growth, official figures have shown. The gap between what China exports and what it imports grew to 22.7 billion US dollars last month, 15.9 billion a year earlier.
Friday, February 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Most vulnerable populations hit by soaring cereal prices

Soaring international cereal prices and freight rates are projected to increase import bills for the world's poorest countries 35% for the second year running affecting the most vulnerable populations, points out FAO in its latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report.
Friday, February 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
US 2007 trade deficit narrows for first time in six years

The US trade deficit narrowed in 2007 after five years of consecutive records, pushed by exports that helped offset the country's large growth in oil imports and trade gap with China. The deficit reached 711.6 billion US dollars in 2007, down from 758.5 billion in 2006, a 6.2% decline the Commerce Department said.
Friday, February 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
FAO addresses fishing of fragile deep sea species and habitats

Fifty-three countries and the European Community have begun discussions in Rome on how to better protect fragile deep sea fish species and habitats from irresponsible fishing practices.
Friday, February 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
First WTO defeat for China over foreign made car parts

China has experienced its first defeat at the World Trade Organization (WTO), in a case referred to restrictions on the importation of foreign-made car parts. Upholding a complaint from the European Union, Canada and United States, the preliminary WTO finding agrees that current Chinese practice is protectionist.
Friday, February 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Euro zone growth outpaced the US; first time since 2001

An initial estimate shows that Euro zone economic growth dipped last year to 2.7%, but still easily outpaced the US economy for the first time since 2001. The rate marked only a marginal slowdown from 2006 when the Euro zone economy grew by 2.8%. The US economy slowed to 2.2% in 2007.
Thursday, February 14th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Spanish minister visits Argentina to talk about fisheries

Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA) Elena Espinosa currently visiting Argentina held a meeting with Spanish fishing companies operating in Argentina and signed a fisheries scientific research cooperation agreement which includes surveying the South Atlantic, reports the Buenos Aires press.