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The tropics are the hottest climate zone on earth. In the countries near the equator, average temperatures range between 25°C and 27°C, and although the efficient and safe handling and storage of grain is a crucial issue everywhere, heavy rains, high ambient temperatures and relative humidity in tropical environments pose significant challenges, such as:

Processing losses. A large proportion of grain losses occur in storage, but high air temperature and higher humidity of ambient air make the proper drying and storage ...

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – The European Commission on June 24 revised down its soft wheat production forecast for the European Union in marketing year 2021-22, to 125.8 million tonnes compared with last month’s projection of 126.2 million.

If realized, the output would still be 7% higher than last year’s drought-affected total of 117.2 million tonnes.

The Commission pegs soft wheat exports from the EU’s 27 member countries at 30 million tonnes in 2021-22, compared to this year’s projected total of 27 million tonnes. ...

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – Under its new “Farm to Fork” strategy, the European Union will see reduced grain production and could become a net importer, according to an impact assessment from Coceral, a European association representing the trade in cereals and other agricultural products.

The strategy aims to curb the environmental impact of agriculture, which is the most frequently reported source of pressure on Europe’s habitats and species and is responsible for 10% of EU greenhouse gas emissions.

During Coceral’s June 23 online ...

LONDON, ENGLAND – Although record global grain production is forecast for the current marketing year, which ends June 30, the International Grains Council (IGC) sees carryover stocks falling to a six-year low due to a strong rise in consumption.

In its most recent Grain Market Report, released on June 24, the IGC pegs 2020-21 total grains production at 2.216 billion tonnes, 3 million tonnes lower than the previous month but higher than last year’s record crop of 2.186 million tonnes.

The IGC ...

BEIJING, CHINA — COFCO International, a China-based agribusiness giant, said it remains committed to sustainable business and agriculture practices despite the challenges presented in 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the pressing need to build resilience in our food system, and change our relationship with nature,” said David Dong, chief executive officer of COFCO International. “This must take place amid heightened economic pressure, volatile markets and the pressing challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and resource scarcity.”

The ...

Among issues preoccupying food business executives during the COVID-19 pandemic, none has been more pressing than identifying which shifts in consumer demand will endure. Valuable insights into the larger picture emerge in the most recent flour production statistics from the US Department of Agriculture. The data at the same time underscore the challenge of precisely divining where underlying trends are headed.

At first blush, the top-line figure for January-March 2021 flour production was worrisome. At 103,634,000 cwts, first-quarter production was down ...

URBANA, ILLINOIS, US — The University of Illinois’ Feed Technology Center is now complete and open for business.

The university opted to celebrate the opening of the new facility with a video series and fact sheet instead of an in-person event.

The Feed Technology Center is part of the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) program that is dedicated to advancing feed technology and animal nutrition.

“One of the best things about this new facility is we can ...

KIEV, UKRAINE — With the 2020-21 marketing year coming to a close, Ukraine’s grain exports had declined by 22% compared to the previous year, to 43.4 million tonnes, according to the country’s agriculture ministry data reported by Reuters.

Included in that total is 16.3 million tonnes of wheat, 22.3 million tonnes of corn and almost 4.15 million tonnes of barley.

Total grain production for the 2020-21 season, which ends June 30, is 65 million tonnes, with a final export total projected at ...

BERLIN, GERMANY — At this week’s G20 Meeting of the Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS-G20), Wheat Initiative participants stressed the importance of scientific research that is based on internationally consistent regulation.

Representing the Wheat Initiative during the meeting were Peter Langridge, chair of the scientific board, and Teresa Saavedra, program manager.

They noted that a major focus of the recent Wheat Initiative activities has been wheat genetic improvement combined with agronomic interventions to address crop adaptability and reduced reliance on external inputs of ...

ALGIERS, ALGERIA — Algeria rejected 27,000 tonnes of French milling wheat after two dead animals were found in the cargo, according to the country’s agriculture minister, Reuters reported.

Algerian authorities are seeking reimbursement for the shipment, which will be sent back to France.

The dead animals were found in two separate batches of the cargo, the minister said.

Algeria is a top wheat importer and France is one of its main suppliers.

Source: World Grain