The orange juice futures trade is stuck in the biggest rut it’s seen since way back in 1967. The futures closed lower for a record 15th-straight day last Wednesday, with no end in sight. Domestic demand for orange juice has been shrinking for several years. On top of that, add in a declining citrus crop in Florida, the nation’s number-one …
U.S. Soy Losing Ground in Race to Feed Livestock
Compared to other soybean-supplying countries around the world, the protein content of U.S. soybeans is losing ground. A Bloomberg report says the world is eating more meat, poultry, and dairy products than ever, but U.S. farmers may be losing some ground to Brazil in the competition to feed the world’s animals. South America and Europe expanded their soybean sales this …
Brazil Company Expecting to Resume Exports to U.S. in 2018
The fourth-largest beef company in Brazil, Minerva SA, expects to resume exporting fresh beef to American in the first quarter of next year. A Reuters report says Minerva Chief Executive Fernando Galletti made the announcement to local media this week, saying he believes it because of his company’s communication with the government. Galletti says, “That’s the expectation we are hearing …
USDA Audit Finds Problems in Brazil’s Food Safety System
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service found several problems in Brazil’s meat inspection system. FSIS conducted inspection audits on-site in Brazil from May 15 to June 2. The goal was to determine if Brazil’s food safety system is comparable to the one in America and capable of exporting safe, wholesome, and unadulterated foods that are labeled and packaged correctly. …
Ethanol Industry Wants Brazil Status Suspended
The U.S. Ethanol industry wants U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to suspend Brazil’s designated country status under the Generalized System of Preferences. The groups want Lighthizer to make the move against Brazil because of its “protectionist and market-distorting actions in implementing a Tariff Rate Quota on American ethanol imports.” The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, and the U.S. Grains Council …
Brazil’s JBS Suspending Work at Seven Facilities
Brazil’s JBS SA announced last week it would suspend its cattle purchases and slaughter activities at seven facilities for an indefinite period. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports the move follows a local court decision that decided to freeze the U.S. equivalent of $230 million in assets belonging to the controlling company of JBS. The assets were blocked following the request …
Brazil Almost Out of Soybeans for Exporting
As is usually the case, Brazil produced a large soybean crop this year. The country has been exporting a lot of soybeans but has reached the point at which they don’t have many soybeans left to ship. A new report says that Brazil hit a new soybean export record in September when they shipped 4.3 million tons. A spokeswoman from …
Brazil Says U.S. Ban on Brazilian Beef May End in October
Brazil’s agriculture ministry says that the ban on fresh Brazilian beef exports to the United States may be lifted in October. The ban was first implemented in June. A Reuters article says it would end after the U.S. finishes evaluating the responses on documents sent in response to questions raised earlier this year during a U.S. veterinary mission to Brazil. …
Trade Mission to Brazil Affect Ethanol Import Tariff?
An ethanol industry official hopes this week’s USDA-led trade mission to Brazil will convince the country’s leaders to reverse a renewed tariff on ethanol imports. Growth Energy’s Chris Bliley does not see the Brazil trip with leaders from two-dozen agribusinesses and trade groups as rewarding Brazil for its renewed 20-percent tariff on imported ethanol. Key players in the ethanol industry, …
USDA Trade Mission to Expand Export Opportunities for U.S. Agriculture in Brazil
During a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission to São Paulo and Recife, Brazil, Sept. 25-29, leaders from 24 U.S. agribusinesses and trade organizations will explore opportunities to expand their agricultural exports and further develop their business relationships in Brazil. “Brazil holds significant untapped market potential for U.S. exporters,” said Mark Slupek, deputy administrator of the Office of Trade …