Prospects for continued relatively strong growth in emerging and developing economies suggests that demand growth for energy and commodities will remain solid, even as global growth is slowing, according to the International Monetary Fund, IMF, First Deputy Managing Director John Lipsky.
Brazilian Consumer Prices Index experienced its biggest increase in four months in April, 0.55% (up from March's 0.48%) because of higher food costs, according to the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute, IBGE.
Bad weather may reduce Argentina's soybean crop below previous forecasts this year but the precise outlook is still unclear, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World said this week.
The extended Argentine farmers/government conflict, which was triggered in early March when the new sliding export taxes system was announced, and its renewed eight days of protest, have left an estimated 44 million tons of grains and oil seeds unsold, valued in approximately 12 billion US dollars, according to market analysts interviewed by the Buenos Aires press.
Brazil's Finance Minister Guido Mantega announced in Brasilia that the government is working on creating a sovereign wealth fund of as much as 20 billion US dollars. The fund would help finance overseas investment and acquisitions by Brazilian companies.
IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn warned on Wednesday about soaring food prices and the need to cushion the impact on the poor and revealed that the fund is already advising governments and central banks in Latin America on how to limit the second-round effects of the price shocks on the poor.
The World Trade Organisation cannot deliver a short-term solution to soaring food prices but a successful end to global trade talks would help in the longer term, WTO chief said on Wednesday.
Argentina's car manufacturing industry posted an increase in production of 31.5% in April compared to the same month a year ago. The total number of units manufactured in April was 54.622, according to ADEFA car manufacturer's organization.
European Central Bank President Jean- Claude Trichet, who chaired a meeting of central bankers of the world's leading nations warned on Monday about rising food prices and significant inflationary risks.
Uruguay's exports increased 59.6% last April compared to the same month a year ago, with the whole expansion for the first four months reaching 44%, according to the latest statistics released by the government funded institution Uruguay XXI.