Agriculture

Wednesday, March 21st 2018 - 07:07 UTC
Mercosur “blocks” talks on auto exports and government procurement contracts, claims EU

European officials said this week that significant obstacles remain to a long-delayed trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur, even as South American officials expressed optimism a deal would be finalized soon.
Friday, March 16th 2018 - 10:18 UTC
Macri announces debt relief for farmers struggling with drought

Argentine President Mauricio Macri said the government would provide some debt relief to farmers struggling through what he described as the country’s worst drought in 40 years, which has resulted in dramatic cuts to soybean and corn crop outlooks.
Friday, March 16th 2018 - 10:14 UTC
Dry summer cuts Argentina's soy crop to 40m tons; US$ 4.6bn negative impact on the economy

Argentina's Rosario Grains Exchange slashed 14% off its forecast for the country's soy crop on Thursday, saying a drought now in its fourth month would limit the harvest to 40 million tons versus its previous estimate of 46.5 million. Argentina has been suffering dry weather since last November.
Thursday, March 15th 2018 - 08:59 UTC
UK expert in Montevideo to promote British sheep genetics in Uruguay

A British expert in export certification is visiting Uruguay with the aim of promoting the regeneration British genetics in Uruguayan flocks. In Uruguay there are currently four sheep breeds of British origin: Suffolk, Romney Marsh, Hampshire Down and Southdown, in addition to British Texel.
Wednesday, March 14th 2018 - 09:12 UTC
Brazil forecasts 87.28 million tons of corn and 113.02 million tons of soybeans

Brazil will harvest 87.28 million tons of corn in the 2017-18 season, federal government crop agency Conab said in a monthly report, down from 88 million tons in its February report. The 2016-17 harvest was 97.84 million tons.
Friday, March 9th 2018 - 09:48 UTC
Brazil downplays latest chapter of the “Weak Flesh” investigation

Brazil does not face any risks of countries instituting new bans on Brazilian meat imports after the latest phase of the “Weak Flesh” investigation into companies accused of committing fraud to avoid safety checks, Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said on Wednesday.
Wednesday, March 7th 2018 - 09:51 UTC
“Weak flesh” reignites in Brazil's major food processor and world's largest poultry exporter

Brazilian police arrested the former chief executive of major food processor BRF SA on charges that he and other executives knew the company, the world’s largest poultry exporter, engaged in fraud to evade food safety checks. Shares in BRF plunged 19% on the Sao Paulo stock exchange as the arrest compounded concerns about BRF’s leadership following a 1.1 billion Reais loss last year.
Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:37 UTC
Prolonged drought wrecking soybean and corn crops, threatens Argentina's growth

A prolonged drought wreaking havoc on Argentina's soybean and corn crops could threaten the country's economic performance in 2018, an official said, as the country seeks to grow for a second straight year after several years of biting recession.
Saturday, February 24th 2018 - 09:10 UTC
Drought hits Argentina's soybean and corn crop estimates: 10% and 12% down

The lack of rain triggered by the La Nina weather phenomenon has prompted the Rosario Exchange to cut its forecast of Argentina’s 2017/2018 corn and soybean crop by 12% and 10%, respectively, making it one of the most bearish analysts in the market.
Friday, February 23rd 2018 - 09:21 UTC
Mexico buying more Brazilian corn over concern with NAFTA negotiations

Mexican buyers imported ten times more corn from Brazil last year amid concern that NAFTA renegotiations could disrupt their U.S. supplies, according to government data and top grains merchants. Mexico is on track to buy more Brazilian corn in 2018, which would hurt a U.S. agricultural sector already struggling with low grains prices and the rising competitive threat from South America.