Brazil May Plant Biggest Soybean Crop Ever: Fertilizer Co. Yara

Fertilizer sales in Brazil has surged with farmers taking advantage of the stronger purchasing power in the past decade, Lair Hanzen, CEO for Yara International in the Americas, said Monday at a press briefing. “Brazil is getting ready to plant a new record soybean crop”   While the sharp decline of the Brazilian currency against the dollar boosted …

American Exporters Sell Soy to China Despite Rising Tensions

American soybean exporters sold several cargoes to Chinese state-run buyers, according to people familiar with the matter, showing that some transactions are still going through even after officials in Beijing ordered a pause in some purchases.   Shippers sold as many as four cargoes of U.S. soybeans from the new crop, said the people, who asked not …

New Virus Hotspot Latin America Houses World’s Biggest Mines

The decision to keep Chinese factories shut after the Lunar New Year sent shudders through the giant mines of Brazil and Chile that feed them. Now, with China getting back to work and Latin America the new virus hotspot, concern is shifting from demand to supply.   Iron-ore shipper Vale SA had a scare last …

Iron ore soars on China recovery, supply fears

Iron ore futures soared on Monday after latest data indicated that China is recovering robustly from the coronavirus pandemic.    The Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Manager for May came in at 50.7, better than both market estimates and the reading of previous month of 49.6 and 49.4 respectively, indicating that China is expanding faster than expected. …

Capesize rates gains despite mixed market outlook

Market participants were in doubt if the Capesize market would continue to enjoy higher rates over potential supply outages from Brazil. The expected lower volume from Brazil was met with high iron ore prices that firmed up rates as the Capesize 5 time charter average jumped by $141 to $3,369 on Friday. The jump was …