Nine- Month Profit Falls 36% at Flour Mills of Nigeria
World-Grain – 01/31/2019
Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc posted group operating profit of naira 27.3 billion ($75.2 million) in the nine months ended Dec. 31, 2018, down 38% from naira 44.2 billion in the same period a year ago…“The results are largely a reflection of our focus on driving volume growth while improving operational efficiency and ramping up strategic marketing and promotional activities to win over new market segments in our food business,” said Paul Gbededo, group managing director.
A Replay of 1972 Could Boost U.S. Grain Prices
Forbes – 01/31/2019
U.S. agricultural markets could be about to get a boost. The matter hinges in part with the on-going, and acrimonious, trade negotiations between the Trump administration and China. However, there’s a good chance that the whole thing ends well and that presents an opportunity for traders to benefit from a possible rally in grain prices.
USDA Awards Agricultural Trade Promotion Program Funding
USDA – 01/31/2019
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $200 million to 57 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) to help U.S. farmers and ranchers identify and access new export markets. The ATP is one of three USDA programs created to mitigate the effects of unjustified trade retaliation against U.S. farmers and exporters.
Trump Optimistic on Trade Deal with China, but May Keep Tariffs Anyway
The New York Times – 01/31/2019
President Trump expressed optimism Thursday about reaching a landmark trade deal with China, but said in an interview that he would consider leaving in place some tariffs on Chinese goods even if the two sides strike an agreement. “Without the tariffs, we wouldn’t be talking,” Mr. Trump said in an interview with The New York Times, shortly after his administration concluded two days of high-level trade talks with Chinese officials. “And I make this point clear to them.”
Training Focused on Quality in Grain Elevators
Morning Ag Clips – 01/31/2019
Maintaining product quality during grain storage is always the goal of grain elevator managers. Factors impacting the grain’s quality include the product’s shipping and handling, milling equipment or machinery used in processing as well as the harvest conditions during a given year. Educating managers on the best practices for maintaining quality grain is the goal of the offering from the Kansas State University (K-State) IGP Institute and the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS). The GEAPS/K-State Grain Elevator Managers course will be held May 7-10, 2019 in Manhattan, Kansas.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates