Cyclone could damage south India coastal crops-weather office
Rice, groundnut and maize crops in coastal areas of southern India could be damaged by a cyclonic storm which is currently expected to hit land on Dec. 30, the Indian Meteorological Department said on 29 Dec 2011."Storm is expected to damage the standing rice, groundnut and maize in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu (state) and rice and groundnut in coastal Andhra Pradesh" state.
Mexico dry bean output seen down due to drought
The marketing year 2011/12 dry bean production estimate is lowered by 220,000 tonnes to 600,000 tonnes as a result of drought, lower yields, and lower-than-previously estimated planted area. The Secretariat of Economy is expected to issue a year-long 100,000 tonnes dry bean duty-free import tariff rate quota in early 2012 to compensate for the domestic production decline. Corn, sorghum, wheat, and rice supply and demand estimates remain unchanged.
Russia 2011 grain exports seen at 22.6 mln tonnes
In July - November 2011 Russia exported over 15 million tonnes of grain, including 12.8 million tonnes of wheat and 1.7 million tonnes of barley. However, in November 2011, price competition in the world grain markets increased with low-priced Argentine wheat entering key Mediterranean markets.
La Nina dryness cuts Argentine corn forecasts
Argentina's 2011/12 corn crop will be smaller than initial forecasts due to dry weather linked to La Nina, but production should still reach a record, analysts say. The lowest estimates, figuring in losses caused by the La Nina climate phenomenon, remain higher than the record 23 million tonnes of corn harvested in the 2010/11 season.
Russian 2011 grain crop seen at 93.8 MT – Agri Min
Russian 2011 grain crop is preliminarily estimated at 93.8 million tonnes, up from 61 million tonnes in the drought-hit 2010, but down from 97 million in 2009,as per the Agriculture Ministry. This volume will allow Russia to cover all domestic needs and to export 25 million tonnes of grain in the 2011/12 crop yea.
Ukraine grain exports at 1.65 M T Dec.1-26
Ukraine exported 1.65 million tonnes of grain between Dec. 1-26 against 1.81 million tonnes in the same period in November. The volume included 1.22 million tonnes of maize, 380,000 tonnes of wheat and 50,000 tonnes of other cereals.
Cameroon raises cotton price to curb smuggling
Cameroon state firm SODECOTTON has increased farmgate raw cotton price by 27.5 percent for the current harvest in an effort to dissuade farmers from smuggling their produce to neighbouring Nigeria. It will pay farmers 255 CFA francs ($0.50) per kg of cotton this season from 200 CFA per kg in the previous season.
Ivorian cocoa buyers seek end to grinders tax break
Major buyers of Ivorian cocoa have urged the government of the world's top producing nation to cut a 20-year old tax break given to local grinders, arguing the incentive handed grinders an unfair market advantage. Members of an international and local buyers association, which includes France-based commodities firm Sucden and leading cocoa trader Armajaro, said in a letter to Ivorian authorities the tax benefit distorted the market.