Mexico’s Wheat Production on the Rise as Farmers Benefit from Incentives Program
FoodNavigator-latam – 09/16/2019
Roughly 45% of Mexico’s wheat production is grown primarily in far northwest Mexico (in the Baja California, Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon regions) where it is planted and sprouts in the fall, hibernates in the spring, and is ready for harvest in July, according to Mexican Food Security (SEGALMEX). The variety grown is an heirloom durum wheat which has applications ranging from tortillas, bakery products, and wheat-based beer. According to the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity, Sonoran wheat flour has contributed to the shift from traditional corn tortillas to flour tortillas as part, which are part of the growing influence of US/Mexico “Borderlands cuisine.” Production of Sonoran wheat rose from 250,000 tons harvested in the fall/winter 2019/2018 to 407,000 tons in the fall/winter 2018/2019 season, representing a 63% volume increase.
Australia Lowers Wheat Export Forecast by 7.7% on Drought
Reuters– 09/16/2019
Australia on Tuesday lowered its forecast for wheat exports for the 2019/20 season by 7.7% as a prolonged drought wilts supplies. The reduction comes after Australia’s chief commodity forecaster last week cut its production forecast for the 2019/20 harvest by nearly 10% as the drought leaves crops struggling to survive. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) on Tuesday said wheat exports would total 10.8 million tonnes in the crop year beginning in July, down from its previous estimate in June of 11.7 million tonnes. Lower Australian exports will support global benchmark prices, which are lingering around a one-month high amid fears about tighter global supplies. Smaller Australian exports will also be a drag on the country’s stuttering economy.
New Trade Pact With Japan Takes Shape
High Plains Journal – 09/16/2019
White House officials are telling the United States ag sector they are going to win big in the miniature trade pact announced on Aug. 25 after Presidents Donald Trump and Shinzo Abe met on the sidelines of the annual G7 summit, but many details haven’t yet been nailed down, government and industry sources tell Agri-Pulse. America’s farmers are going to be “very happy” with the deal, which will contain tariff cuts that resemble the increased access to Japan’s market in the former Trans-Pacific Partnership, one government official said. Commodity organizations want to make sure their producers will be able to compete on a level playing field with other suppliers in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the European Union. The Trump administration held a conference call on the Japan pact for leaders of the U.S. ag sector recently, but many hung up disappointed after getting vague assurances and virtually no details. “Everyone is nervous because no one knows anything,” one industry source told Agri-Pulse. “Nobody is providing specifics,” another source said. “They’re talking in general terms.”
Podcast: Extreme Weather May Impact Winter Wheat Planting in SD
WNAX Radio – 09/16/2019
Last week’s heavy rains, flooding and tornadoes will have more of an effect on winter wheat planting in South Dakota than on spring wheat harvest. That’s according to South Dakota Wheat Commission Executive Director Reid Christopherson. He says most of the spring wheat harvest is wrapped up except for the northernmost counties. He says most of the winter wheat planting takes place in South Dakota from September 15 to October 15. Christopherson says one of the challenges will be getting into the fields in time to get that winter wheat seeding done. Christopherson traveled from the western part of South Dakota last Thursday night to Sioux Falls. He says he saw a lot of water in the fields, especially in the Plankinton, Mount Vernon, Mitchell and Madison areas.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates