CWB projects 20% decline in wheat, durum, barely crop (06/19/2009) The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) on June 11 released its preliminary crop forecasts, projecting a western Canadian wheat, durum and barley crop of 29.7 million tons in the 2009 crop year, down almost 20% from last year’s 36.7 million tons and significantly below the five-year average of 33.9 million tons. The all-wheat yield estimate announced by the CWB, at 33.4 bushels per acre, is the lowest initial projection in seven years.

Tacoma reports growth in containerized exports (06/19/2009) Containerized exports out of the Port of Tacoma grew 6.2 percent in May over the same month last year, a potential signal of recovery at the Pacific Northwest port,which handles much of the grain exported the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains states.

China’s June soybean imports forecast at 4.36 million tons; shift to South America for supply reported (06/19/2009) Soybean imports into China are expected to reach 4.36 million tons in June, according to the latest forecast by the China National Grain and Oils Information Center (CNGOIC). With no soybean imports from the U.S. for two straight weeks by the end of May, China has shifted its focus to South America for imports, according to Asian news reports.

Emerging issues in the U.S. organic industry – organic production rising but not keeping up with consumer demand; low organic grain production still a bottleneck (06/19/2009) Consumer demand for organic food has risen quickly over the past decade, triggered in part by the development and success of USDA’s organic regulatory program and label. This rapid growth highlights challenges still to be overcome in the organic sector. Among key challenges is finding adequate supplies of organic grains for feed.

U.S., Canada sign equivalency agreement to mutually accept organic standards (06/19/2009) USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, Wednesday in her keynote address at the Organic Trade Association (OTA)’s All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show, announced that an equivalency agreement has been reached between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). This historic equivalency agreement will allow the continued smooth flow of certified organic products between the two countries and support the continued growth of this rapidly expanding market in North America. It is the first such equivalency agreement worldwide for the organic industry.

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