British newspaper The Financial Times has run a story focusing on Argentina's wheat production, explaining that due to export limits and taxes, farmers have slashed the land sown with wheat to a 111-year low and cereal exports have been halved over the past five years.
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev says a full one-quarter of Russia's grain crops have been destroyed by weeks of drought and wildfires, leaving many Russian farmers close to bankruptcy.
Wheat futures soared on Thursday after the world’s number three exporter the Russian Federation said it would temporarily halt grain shipments. The worst drought on record have devastated crops in parts of Russia and caused international grain prices to spike as markets anticipate a drop in global supplies.
International wheat prices hit a 22-month high Monday after a severe drought and ensuing wildfires in Russia devastated crops. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) wheat for September delivery broke through the $7-a-bushel level in US trade for the first time since September 2008 but have since falling back.
Egypt will be signing a free trade agreement with Mercosur during the group’s presidential summit scheduled for next August 3 in Argentina, announced Friday the Egyptian trade minister on Friday.