Drought-Induced Decline in Spain’s Olive Oil Production In the face of an extended drought, Spain, the world’s topmost producer, and exporter of olive oil, has witnessed a dramatic surge in the prices of its signature commodity. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that global olive oil prices have risen to an unprecedented 26-year high of … Read more
Disruption in the Grain Initiative The Ukrainian Ministry of Reconstruction recently announced that Russian representatives have effectively halted the operation of the grain initiative by refusing to register and inspect vessels intended to move to Ukrainian ports via the grain corridor. Such actions contradict the existing agreement’s terms, causing significant disruption in the international grain … Read more
Global Wheat Prices and Political Tensions Wheat prices, after a dip last week, are witnessing a gradual recovery. This resurgence is attributed to the delay in planting spring wheat in the US, restrictions on Ukrainian exports, and doubts surrounding the continuity of the grain agreement. Ukraine exported 14.5 million tons of wheat in 2022/23MR, in … Read more
Food loss, particularly in international trade, poses a significant threat to global food and nutrition security. An alarming one-third of the total food produced worldwide is estimated to be lost or wasted, leading to vast economic losses and underutilization of resources. This article focuses on Bangladesh, a country that, despite being a major producer of … Read more
The oil and gas industry in the United States has hit a significant speed bump, as evidenced by a substantial drop in the weekly oil and gas rig count, an early sign of future output. According to a report by Baker Hughes, a leading energy services company, the number of operational rigs fell by seven … Read more
Factors Driving the Sugar Price Surge Sugar prices have reached an 11-year high, with raw sugar prices at the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) experiencing a 37% increase since January. The peak of 27.41 cents per pound last week can be attributed to short-term supply tightness and concerns over the potential impact of the El Nino climate … Read more
Soybean and palm oil prices have continued to rise, despite lower oil prices, as traders anticipate increased imports by China and India. In the context of the US Fed’s interest rate increase to 5-5.25% and an expected recession in the US economy, traders have turned to agricultural assets as a more attractive investment. This article … Read more
The Dominance of Ukrainian Oilseeds in EU Market In the 2022/23 marketing year, Ukraine emerged as the leading supplier of sunflower seeds, rapeseed, sunflower meal, sunflower, and soybean oil to the European Union. This significant import increase, up 68% from the previous season to 9.8 million tons, reshaped the EU’s import landscape for oilseeds. The … Read more
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, which escalated with Russia’s invasion and occupation of parts of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that talks between Russia and the United Nations regarding the Black Sea grain deal are scheduled to take place in Moscow on May 5, 2023. UN’s top trade official Rebeca … Read more
The Importance of International Trade for US Pork Producers In honor of World Trade Month, it is essential to understand the significance of international trade for US pork producers and the US economy. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) emphasizes that US pork farmers have built a global reputation for providing high-quality, safe, and affordable … Read more