Taiwan Flour Millers Team Visits Wheat Facilities in Lewiston Area
Post Register – 09/11/2019
A group representing the Taiwan Flour Mills Association came to the Lewis-Clark Valley from September 6-9 to see how Idaho wheat growers maintain a high-quality standard. The TFMA team saw how wheat is tested, stored and prepared for delivery by barge on the Snake River. The Idaho Wheat Commission and U.S. Wheat Associates sponsored the trip, which included tours of Uniontown Co-op and the Lewis-Clark Terminal and dinner with Idaho Wheat Commissioner Joseph Anderson. Taiwan imported nearly $4.3 billion worth of U.S. farm products in 2018. The country is the fifth-largest market for U.S. wheat. The Taiwan group also experienced the Lewiston Roundup for the first time as special guests of the board of directors, which included Idaho Wheat Commissioner Bill Flory. “Idaho wheat growers are dedicated to producing high-quality harvests for international and domestic use,” said Blaine Jacobson, executive director of the Idaho Wheat Commission. “We look forward to hosting our friends and partners from Taiwan again later this month when they come to Boise.”
Bumper Harvest Seen Lifting French Wheat Exports, Stocks to 4-Year High
Reuters – 09/11/2019
French soft wheat exports outside the European Union are expected to climb to a four-year high in 2019/20 as the EU’s biggest grain producer shifts a bumper harvest, farm office FranceAgriMer said on Wednesday. Exports of soft wheat, France’s main cereal crop, are projected to increase nearly 14% compared with last season to 11.0 million tonnes, the highest volume since 2015/16, FranceAgriMer said in its first supply-and-demand outlook for the 2019/20 season that started in July. “The export season is looking favourable,” Marc Zribi, head of FranceAgriMer’s grain and sugar unit, told reporters. “French wheat is among the most competitive export origins on a FOB (free-on-board) basis although freight costs will be key.” Rare shipments of French wheat to China in the early weeks of the season were a positive indication, while traders were also hopeful French wheat would regain market share in West Africa and see extra demand from Morocco after a poor harvest there, he said.
Governer, Agriculture Leaders, UNL Chancellor Say Nebraskans “Win” with USMCA
Nebraska Farm Bureau – 09/11/2019
It’s time for Congress to pass legislation to enact the United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA) and bring home a “win” for Nebraska agriculture. That’s the message relayed by Nebraska leaders who gathered to call for USMCA passage at Husker Harvest Days, Wed., Sept. 11. The Trump administration has negotiated a trade deal with the two countries, but Congress must act for the provisions of the agreement to go into effect. The USMCA deal is critical to Nebraska agriculture as purchases by Mexico and Canada account for more than 21 percent of Nebraska’s total agriculture exports. The trade relationship with the two countries is also vital to the state’s economy as agriculture trade with the two nations supports nearly 54,000 Nebraska jobs. The USMCA would replace the more than 20-year-old, North American Free Trade Agreement between the countries, making a good relationship even better. The new deal would maintain market access for Nebraska commodities like corn, soybeans, beef, and pork, while improving access for Nebraska wheat and dairy products.
Mexico May Be An Unexpected Winner of the US-China Trade War
CNBC – 09/11/2019
China and the United States are disrupting trade in much of the world with their trade war — but Mexico may be a winner. Despite fresh hopes among investors for a peaceful conclusion, the trade conflict that began between the world’s two biggest economies more than a year ago shows no substantive signs of ending. But amid all the chaos, Mexico is coming out on top, said John Murphy, senior vice president for international policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Mexico, he said, has been able to build on its emergence as a manufacturing hub “with free-trade agreements that offer guaranteed access to more than 50 foreign countries.” “Mexico has a number of key advantages in comparison to other cheaper labor options, predominantly in the Southeast Asian region, as a manufacturing and export platform,” Murphy outlined via email for CNBC.
Bonneville Navigation Lock to Reopen September 30
Capital Press – 09/11/2019
The Bonneville Dam navigation lock will return to service at 10 a.m. Sept. 30, according to the Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A sill on the lock was found to be cracked, causing it to leak as barges and other vessels transited the dam. The Corps shut down the lock, blocking all river traffic. Barge and elevator operators rely on the Columbia River to transport millions of bushels of wheat to market. “It’s important to recognize the patience from our Columbia River users, who depend on this critical piece of infrastructure to run their businesses,” said Col. Aaron Dorf, Portland District commander for the Corps. “Between now and Sept. 30, our teams will be working around-the-clock to construct the new sill to restore Columbia River traffic.” “One nice thing is we’re 95% done harvesting, so I think we’ve all put the crop away,” said Damon Filan, manager of Tri-Cities Grain and a member of the Washington Grain Commission. Fourteen commercial vessels are impacted by the lock closure, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Columbia River Waterways Management Division — seven from Tidewater Barge, four from Shaver Transportation and three from American Cruise Line.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates