New Zealand

pineapple

Sweet as! How a Northland family grew New Zealand’s first commercial pineapple crop

On a hillside smothered with ripening pineapples near Whangārei, Owen and Linda Schafli are harvesting their first commercial pineapple crop of between 5000 and 10,000 pineapples from their 22,000 plants.

Schafli grew tropical fruit in South Africa before moving his young family to New Zealand in 2008. “After a few years in Hamilton, we bought these 6.8 hectares at Parua Bay to grow mainly bananas and pineapples, but we’re also experimenting with other tropicals such as dragonfruit, papaya, sugarcane and coffee.”

Read More here…

dairy

Weaning NZ off China depends on diplomacy elsewhere, exporters say

Dairy exporters say New Zealand must make better progress on tariffs in heavily protected markets before they can reduce their reliance on China.

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has continued this week to urge exporters to diversify their markets, as New Zealand faces pressure from Western allies to address China’s human rights record.

In an interview published in the Guardian on Tuesday, Mahuta spoke about New Zealand’s concern it might be penalised with tariffs or other economic pressure from China as the more outspoken Australia has.

Read More here…

weather

Weather: Canterbury farmers relieved state of emergency declared following widespread flooding

A mid-Canterbury farmer is relieved a state of emergency has been declared, saying there are a lot of serious issues to play out over the course of the day.

David Clark, who is the president of Federated Farmers for the region, said his day began at 4.30am helping to rescue passengers trapped in a car that had been swept away by floodwaters.

“Fire and Emergency weren’t able to get [there] the occupants had been swept off the road so fortunately managed to get out to them with one of our large tractors and broke the windows and get the people out.”

He also assisted with the rescue of a farmer stuck in his tractor.

Read more here

milk-splash6_1

Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny says Fonterra’s reduction of milk price forecast for the current season is ‘anticlimactic’

Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny, who has a good track record of picking the price farmers will get for their milk, is “puzzled” by Fonterra’s “anticlimactic” reduction in its milk price forecast for the current season.

Fonterra has narrowed down the milk price forecast range for the about-to-end season to between $7.45 and $7.65 per kilogram of milk solids. That gives a ‘midpoint’ price of $7.55, which is actually a 5c reduction when compared with the co-operative’s previous forecast.

“We must admit we are puzzled by the downgrade,” Penny says. He had been forecasting a $7.90 price but says he will now “take this one on the chin” and reduce his forecast to $7.55 in line with the Fonterra new pick.

Read more here…

market-gardens

Guy Trafford notes that while recent rains flush rivers, they also fill aquifers. But the time it takes to clear nitrates is vastly different between each system. And that sets up special risks for drinking water supplies

The weather has certainly added another dimension to the weekend. Having farmed in back country Gisborne when Cyclone Bola wrought its devastation, I’m not unfamiliar with extreme rain events but the current rainfall, while still not in the same league as Bola was (we got 500mls in a 48hr period while the heaviest falls got up to 1,000 mls) would still be the heaviest and most prolonged experienced since then.

The concerning thing is that there is still another 18 hours or so forecast to come.

Where I reside is an hour or so north of Ashburton and while roads and paddocks are covered with water here it is not looking like there is the potential that those further south may experience. Between 10am and midday Sunday I went on a ‘little excursion’ to check out a couple of the local rivers nearby.

Read More here…

Australia

seed

Majority seeding into ideal conditions

WIDESPREAD rainfall across WA’s agricultural region brought delight to farmers as many were seeding into good subsoil moisture, which for some were the best conditions they had ever experienced.

Shaun Kalajzic, Cadoux, was one of those growers and said seeding so far had been “fantastic”.

“We’ve never really seeded into conditions like this that we can remember,” Mr Kalajzic said.

“By the time we finish, 80 per cent of our crop will be already out of the ground by the end of May.”

Read more here
grain market

Grain markets rebound sharply

For much of last week the grain markets continued their steady trend lower.

However, that all changed on Thursday night with sharp gains across the board, with a modest setback again on Friday night as the US headed into a long weekend.

The trigger for the rally came from corn with a limit up move with strong old and new season weekly corn sales reported.

As well, some in the trade had been expecting China to cancel some orders, or at least delay them, but it turned out to be the opposite.

Read more here

mango

High density mangoes drive profitability

HIGH density mango plantings are producing up to 66 tonnes/hectare of fruit a year – a staggering 3.5 times more than existing low-density plantings.

That’s the finding of the Transforming Mango Futures project, which was launched at the Northern Australia Food Futures conference in Darwin last week.

Project lead Geoff Dickinson, DAF Queensland, said the industry has long been interested in transforming from low-yielding, low-density orchards into high-yielding, high-density orchard systems.

Funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia, the project team – DAF, Manbulloo, Marto’s Mangoes and the Australian Mango Industry Association – trialled high-density planting across three sites in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Read more here

grain market2

Big grain production numbers flagged

AUSTRALIA is set to consolidate on last year’s good harvest if early forecast for the 2021-22 crop come to fruition.

While official Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences estimates are not yet out, other forecasters have dipped their toe in the water at this early stage of the season.

IKON Commodities have come out with a number of 29.5 million tonnes of wheat nationwide.

While this is well back on their figure for last year’s crop of 34.8m tonnes, it is still well above long-term historical averages.

Read more here

cattle

Will world cattle prices catch up to Australia?

THE possibility of the world catching up to Australia, which for the past year has had the most expensive cattle, is the talk around the rails this week.

Should the shrinking herds and export hurdles developing in the larger beef supplying nations lead to a worldwide shortage and push export prices up, a cattle market in high territory could be cemented for years for Australian producers.

The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator is holding its ground, despite some lift in supply, particularly in the north. It finished yesterday at 885 cents a kilogram carcase weight, which is not far off the record 910c set a month ago and is 145c above the rate for this time last year.

While there is no question it is local conditions – that is short supply pushing up against red hot restocker demand – that is driving young cattle prices, the potential for solid global red meat prices also has an underpinning effect.

Read more here…

South America

milk

Argentine government not fair with milk producers

As tensions between the Government of President Alberto Fernández and rural producers seem to be focused on the 30-day ban on meat exports, the Argentine Rural Confederations (CRA) issued a statement this weekend headed “Does the milk producer not matter?”

CRA Vice President Gabriel De Raedemaeker explained that the cancellation of meat exports will not bring down the price within the domestic market as Fernández had intended, and he also warned of other conflicts such as the one with milk producers are yet to fully surface should the government stick to its current policies.

The CRA statement highlights that “The Argentine milk producer receives the lowest price in the world for his milk.” And he “produces 30% more than the milk necessary to make all the dairy products that are consumed on the Argentine table.”

Read More here

crop survey

SHAFFE Releases Southern Hemisphere Fresh Fruit Outlook Survey Results

The Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters recently released the results of a fresh fruit outlook survey undertaken across member countries in the Southern Hemisphere. The survey results suggest a generally positive outlook for the Southern Hemisphere fruit industry, with major growth areas being e-commerce and consumer health trends. Data collected through the survey indicate that China is the second-biggest export destination for Southern Hemisphere fruit producers, after the United States.

SHAFFE is a trade organization comprising many leading trade associations from across the Southern Hemisphere, including major fruit-producing countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa and Uruguay.

Read More here

grapes-from-chile-china-kv

Chilean Grapes Maintain Leading Position in China Market

Chile, the world’s biggest exporter of fresh table grapes, easily maintained its status as the largest supplier of imported grapes to China in 2020, according to data from the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX). Furthermore, although the overall export volume of table grapes out of Chile is projected to fall in the 2020/21 season, ASOEX has not seen any indication that the quality of table grape arrivals in China has been affected.

Overall, Chilean table grape producers and exporters are continuing to invest in diversifying their variety offerings to China and other global markets, and ASOEX’s Chilean Table Grape Committee has continued to support consumption in the China market through active promotional efforts both online and offline.

Read More here

Food Updates

butter

Processed foods can be good

A survey has revealed that most Brits are clueless over what ‘processed’ means and the majority associate it with being unhealthy.

The word ‘processed’ has a reputation – a survey of more than 2,500 UK adults has revealed that 51 percent associate it with unhealthy foods.

Interestingly, the survey by Upfield also discovered how many of us (nearly two thirds of Brits) don’t know or aren’t sure what processed foods are.

Across the UK, there are also regional commonalities in how people perceive food – the lowest percentage of any region in the UK to consider processed foods as unhealthy are the Scots, with 46 percent saying so. This increases to 58 percent in the North East of England.

Read more here

dragon-fruit-FI-2

Dragon fruit – a majestic appearance and health benefits to match
Introducing the eye catching dragon fruit – a delight to our senses and health alike, as Tania Dey explains.An exotic looking fruit has recently entered the tropical fruit market. Attracting consumers with its bright magenta coloured spikes and an equally appealing white dotted interior, this majestic fruit is called Dragon Fruit or Pitaya or Strawberry Pear (Hylocereus undatus).  The flowers of this cactus plant, also known as the Honolulu queen, open at night only. The most popular variety has a white pulp studded with tiny little black seeds, although the less common types include red pulp with red skin and white pulp with yellow skin. It is mildly sweet and tastes somewhat like a pear and kiwi with a crunchy texture. This fruit makes an ideal ingredient for smoothies and fruit salads.

Read more here

cheese-stock

Why cheese continues to be a hit with consumers

Heloise Le Norcy-Trott, Group Marketing Director for Lactalis UK & Ireland, explains why one of the most popular food products with the longest history continues to resonate with modern consumers.

Several consumer trends are currently shaping the cheese category, which is why understanding shoppers’ purchasing decisions is vital, especially during the pandemic. At Lactalis UK & Ireland, we pride ourselves on placing the consumer at the heart of everything we do, which has helped position our cheese brands – Galbani, Président and Seriously – as market leaders.

Cheese is one of the nation’s favourite foods and since the market analysis company IRI began publishing its weekly Covid Flash Report, the product has consistently featured in the top 10 fastest-growing categories.

Read more here
Enzymes

Enzymes add label-friendly functionality to bakery formulations

Enzymes are proteins that can be added to bakery formulations to improve functionality or replace conventional ingredients that are no longer label-friendly such as DATEM, SSL, mono- and diglycerides and L-cysteine.

“Enzymes help improve baked goods because they can act on compounds found in wheat flour — starch, lipids, protein, arabinoxylans — which all help make up the structure of dough,” said Sherill Cropper, PhD, new product development manager, Lesaffre Yeast Corp. “By hydrolyzing these components this makes it easier to process and machine the dough, enhance the volume of the final product and extend shelf life.”

Read more here

dairy2

Trends driving innovation in dairy and dairy alternatives

CHICAGO — The dairy alternative space is one of the fastest-growing plant-based categories, with non-dairy milk driving the market. This was communicated during the “Discover Dairy & Dairy Alternatives: Trends & Innovative Products” session at Natural Products Expo West Virtual Week on May 24.

Cheese alternatives are predicted to be the “next frontier” in plant-based innovation, said Adrienne Smith, senior food business reporter, New Hope Network, Boulder, Colo.

CHICAGO — The dairy alternative space is one of the fastest-growing plant-based categories, with non-dairy milk driving the market. This was communicated during the “Discover Dairy & Dairy Alternatives: Trends & Innovative Products” session at Natural Products Expo West Virtual Week on May 24.

Read more here

The adaptation of healthy and sustainable diets since the global pandemic has been rising over the months. Consumers are continuously considering affordable, nutritious, and plant-based products to include in their diets. Legumes, like lentils and beans, are now presently following the growing number of other nutritional crop alternatives. Aside from its rich nutritional value, there is now an increase in demand for legumes by the food processing and baking industry, which has increased the CAGR for the coming years. The United States reached a crop value of USD 658.32 M during its 2020 report, which is now expected to rise at a CAGR of 7.93%, reaching approximately USD 1.1 B by 2027. Globally, considering the forecast period of 2021-2027, the beans market is valued at USD 20,120 M with 114.49 M tons by the end of 2026 with a 2.8% CAGR.

Crop Information

Growing legumes further increases the benefits of traditional agriculture. In some parts of the European countries, the agriculture sector started to focus on traditional crop rotations like growing legumes alongside wheat, barley, or rapeseed to boost the environmental benefits and crop’s nutritional value for both humans and livestock. In the US, conventional tillage of legumes is commonly practiced (71.4%). Other farming approaches like minimum-tillage (20%), strip-tillage (6.2%), and no-till (2.4%) are also being observed.

Legumes are known to be the only crops that can provide themselves enough nitrogen by just drawing the air around them. By doing so, legumes are branded as one of the less inexpensive crops that have rich nutrient value, including fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, folate, potassium, thiamine, and other vitamins. With their longer shelf life, beans/legumes are the best alternatives to aid in lowering blood cholesterol levels, restrains the increase of blood glucose levels, and is responsible for saturation.

Exporter and Importer Information

The production of organic beans depends on the region’s adaptability, dietary patterns, prevailing conditions, and levels of market demands. Among the growers in over 173 countries worldwide, India tops the highest producer of organic beans, followed by Myanmar, Brazil, the United States, China, Mexico, Russia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.

In the United States, a survey shows that most grown beans are kidney, pinto, navy, and black beans. North Dakota and Minnesota are two of the major growers of dry beans accounting for nearly one-half of the US planted crops area, in which the former is best known in the production of pinto beans, while the latter, in kidney beans. Navy and black beans are equally produced by both states. At present, roughly 23% of dry beans have already been seeded in the United States.

The rise in demand for export bean products from the United States is due to the lack of black bean produce in both Argentina and China. The latter’s production has been decreasing over the last five years due to the government’s additional support and focus on corn and soybean productions. Argentina, on the other hand, had a depletion of its export supplies and is expected to furnish new stocks after the country harvests its stocks in June. Therefore, the United States, along with Canada, continues to supply markets like Costa Rica, Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, and Guatemala for a few more months until other exporters replenish their stocks.

Mexico is the primary importer of dry beans from the US, where black beans are the main demand for Mexican consumers. Although Mexico is on the top ten list of bean producers, the country cultivated poor crops, which is attributed to drought and frost damage. The demand resulted in increased black bean acres production, mostly in North Dakota.

The opportunity of import markets in Europe is most likely higher than the export market as the country’s consumption is relatively low. Europe produces fewer bean products, though the country is known for its field peas and fava beans. Developing countries share a trade value of 51% in beans alone. The nearby countries have an additional benefit of exporting bean produce to Europe due to its logistics and geographical location. The countries include Argentina, Ethiopia, China, Mexico, Myanmar, Turkey, Kenya, Canada, United States, Ukraine, and Egypt. Among the European districts, Italy is the leading importer of bean products due to the demands in the food industry, especially in preparing the country’s traditional cuisines.

Projections

India is the largest producer, consumer, and importer of beans globally with 25% production, 27%, and 14%, respectively. The country is now eyeing to target 50% to 24 M tons of beans by the end of 2021. According to its Agriculture Minister, to achieve this, the country’s agriculture will be using hybrid and high-yielding seed varieties. Earlier this month, the Indian government plans to distribute over 2 million mini-kits of bean seeds by mid of June to expand the production and productivity of beans for the 2021-22 crop year. During the National Conference on Pulses campaign 2021, the agriculture sector proposes and aims 25 MMT of beans for 2021-22.

US agriculture is expected to plant 1.54 million acres of organic beans by the end of 2021. Although this figure is lower than the planted acres in 2020 (1.74 million acres), the industry still keeps its perspective positive. The US production is expected by the USDA to increase at 1.5 M tons, an approximately 60 percent higher from 2020. Canada’s export forecast, on the other hand, still maintains the US and EU to be the main markets of organic beans, with a few export volumes in Angola, Japan, Bangladesh, and Mexico. Its prices, however, remain relatively strong considering the increase in production worldwide.

Although the global demand for bean products is slowly increasing, the acreage for 2021 among the leading exporters decreased by 5% or 3.36 million acres. This is due to the carryover of large crops last year, along with the product returns caused by the higher competing crops like wheat, soybeans, and corn.

 

[su_divider top=”no” divider_color=”#726c6d” size=”7″ margin=”5″]

[su_button url=”https://www.facebook.com/tradelinksainternational/?view_public_for=105757601162821″ target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: facebook-f” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradelink-sa/?viewAsMember=true” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: linkedin” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.instagram.com/tradelinknz/” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: instagram” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCewEsyFy0Y_1MdjwhsXvT0w” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: youtube” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″] [/su_button]

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCEkNZdMi04″ height=”200″ responsive=”no” fs=”no”]

 

Maritime trade came under the microscope after the famous Ever Given megaship ran aground in the Suez Canal, blocking the busy channel for nearly a week.

While shippers are struggling with lengthening port delays, cargo rollovers and soaring freight rates, they have been recently subject to an array of equipment and congestion surcharges including port congestion surcharge, equipment maintenance fee and deficit equipment surcharge imposed by the shipping lines.

Shipping rates are a major component of trade costs, so the recent hike poses an additional challenge to the world economy as it struggles to recover from the worst global crisis since the Great Depression.

 

Increase in Demand

Contrary to expectations, demand for container shipping has grown during the pandemic, bouncing back quickly from an initial slowdown. About 80% of the goods we consume are carried by ships, but we easily forget this. Changes in consumption and shopping patterns triggered by the pandemic, including a surge in electronic commerce, as well as lockdown measures, have in fact led to increased import demand for manufactured consumer goods, a large part of which is moved in shipping containers. The increase in demand was stronger than expected and not met with a sufficient supply of shipping capacity.

Besides the pandemic, Brexit has caused a lot of cross-border friction, owing to which the cost of shipping goods to and from the country has surged exorbitantly. With Brexit, UK has had to give up on several subsidies it availed under the EU umbrella. With the transfer of goods to and from the UK now being treated as intercontinental shipments, coupled with the pandemic complicating the supply-chains the freight rates for goods to and from the UK have already quadrupled.

Rates skyrocket

The impact on freight rates has been greatest on trade routes to developing regions, where consumers and businesses can least afford it. Based on MNSC’s survey in February, the response gathered from shippers indicated that the freight rates have skyrocketed to a historic level of between US$6,000 and US$10,000 (RM41,300) per container compared to US$55 to US$300 per container before the pandemic.

Currently, rates to South America and western Africa are higher than to any other major trade region. By early 2021, for example, freight rates from China to South America had jumped 443% compared with 63% on the route between Asia and North America’s eastern coast.

Part of the explanation lies in the fact that routes from China to countries in South America and Africa are often longer. More ships are required for weekly service on these routes, meaning many containers are also “stuck” on these routes.

 It seems like the sky’s the limit for charter rates. There is no end in sight to the current strong market, with the squeeze of vessel supply showing no sign of easing in the medium term, while demand remains robust across all ship sizes.

The inactive container fleet is now just 2.8% of the global fleet and primarily consists of vessels waylaid by accidents, urgent maintenance, sanctions and waiting periods before upcoming service – anything that can be deployed is deployed.

 The longer-term impact on trade and consumers remains difficult to forecast as no one knows for sure when the situation will ease, or if it might worsen. The Logistics Team at Tradelink have the correct resources to tackle any shipping issues that may come up and are proactive in keeping our customers up to date as to situation of their orders.

[su_divider top=”no” divider_color=”#726c6d” size=”7″ margin=”5″]

[su_button url=”https://www.facebook.com/tradelinksainternational/?view_public_for=105757601162821″ target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: facebook-f” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradelink-sa/?viewAsMember=true” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: linkedin” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.instagram.com/tradelinknz/” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: instagram” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCewEsyFy0Y_1MdjwhsXvT0w” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: youtube” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″] [/su_button]

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCEkNZdMi04″ height=”200″ responsive=”no” fs=”no”]

 

New Zealand

worker shortage

Shortage of workers causing stress for farmers

A shortage of workers is causing concern for the mental health of employers and employees in the farming industry, and one farmer predicts more farmers will take their own lives if the problem is not addressed.

Southland Federated Farmers sharemilker chairman Jason Herrick has written to Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, asking him to allow more essential workers into New Zealand.

“I believe if you continue to deny this issue, and fail to give it the urgent attention it demands, you and your fellow MP’s must accept the consequences which I believe will be unnecessary loss of both human and animal lives,’’ he says in his letter.

Read More here…

profit change

How climate change could slash sheep and beef farm profits

Sheep and beef farmers’ profits could fall by more than half by the end of the century if climate change goes unchecked, new research suggests.

The study, by the Deep South Challenge and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, drew on 70,000 tax returns and temperature and soil moisture data, uncovering a clear link between local weather and farm profits.

Future climate change scenarios were then tested to understand how farm profits might be impacted by lower soil moisture and higher temperatures.

Under a scenario with little climate action and high economic growth, sheep and beef farmers could see a profit loss of up to 54 per cent by the end of the century, researchers found.

Read More here…

rain-farm-cow

West Coast’s heavy rain a concern for farmers

The notoriously rainy West Coast is receiving even more wet weather than usual this autumn and farmers say it is a bit of a worry.

According to MetService, the region had been blasted with a series of wet fronts throughout the season, with about half of the region’s average monthly rain falling over just four days earlier in May.

West Coast dairy farmer Richard Reynolds said if heavy rain lasted into winter it would create problems with pasture damage, such as pugging.

He said some farmers were drying off their herds and finishing up milking for the season earlier than normal.

Read more here

trafford-2021-may-3

Guy Trafford sees some good early signs for upcoming livestock and dairy season prices. 

Meat prices have continued to improve from processors, and it is still relatively early in the low supply months.

There is still considerable distance to match the highs achieved in 2019 (pre-Covid – 19) particularly with lamb prices are slightly ahead of where they were at the same time previously.

Prime beef still has a way to go, but there is movement starting to occur.

The GDT dairy auction prices, while failing to improve, have held similar levels for the last four auctions. This particularly applies to WMP which since the five year high in March (US$4,364) has remained within a $100 variance (US$4,085 -US$4,123). This has provided some of the banks to forecast a price starting with an $8.

Read more here…

sheep and cows stock

Sales of farms and lifestyle blocks are running well ahead of last year with prices also on the rise

The rural property market continues to gain strength with sales of both farms and lifestyle blocks up strongly compared to a year ago.

The latest rural sales figures from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand show there were 466 farm sales in the three months to the end of April, up 89% compared to the same period of last year.

In the 12 months to the end of April, 1677 farms were sold throughout the country, up 45% compared to the previous 12 months with most farm types showing a substantial lift in sales.

Sales of dairy farms were particularly strong, up 120% for the year, with dairy support units up 84%, grazing farm sales up 21% and and finishing farm sales up 54%.

Read More here…

Australia

yeald crops

Hyper yielding crops are put to the test

GROWERS from around the country who chose to take part in the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC) inaugural hyper yielding crops (HYC) awards initiative are about to find out just how hyper their crops really faired against fellow competitors.

Five seminars are planned to take place in June where winners of the GRDC’s HYC inaugural awards will be announced.

There will be two awards per region – overall highest wheat yield and highest wheat yield based on per cent of yield potential.

To enable a community approach to the HYC concept, the awards program was established in 2020 aiming to enable growers to benchmark the agronomic performance of their crops compared to a regional standard.

Read more here
cotton

Cotton yields smashed to 37 year lows by drought

THE FULL impact of the horror east coast drought on the cotton sector has recently been borne out in Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

The ABS has released data from the horror 2019-20 season before the drought broke which found total production dropping to its lowest levels in 37 years.

Total Australian production was just 115 million kilograms, a 72 per cent season on season drop from 2018-19 which was also drought impacted.

ABS director of agriculture statistics, Sarah Kiely, said a large part of the drop was a lack of water which in turn led to lower plantings.

Read more here

wool

Another global clothing company takes aim at Australian wool

A growing number of global clothing manufacturers are surrendering to intense lobbying from animal welfare groups.

The latest is German sportswear company Puma which has set a 2025 target to stop using Australian wool from mulesed sheep in its products.

The animal welfare organisation Four Paws says the move is the result of its campaign to “ban this cruel practice”.

Puma, and other soccer boot manufacturers are under intense pressure to stop using Australian kangaroo leather as well.

Read more here

wheat

Questions over whether wheat will rebound in June

The May price spike for Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures continued to unwind last week, with end of week prices below the previous price peaks set in January and February.

Based on closing values for the December contract, prices are down A$34.84 per tonne from the peak value of A$358.47, set overnight on May 9.

That was around the timing of the peak in our forward market as well, when prices hit $325 per tonne delivered port outside of Western Australia.

Prices are down $20 per tonne since then, to around $305 per tonne.

Read more here

australian farms

West Australian mixed sheep-cropping farms the most profitable in the world

Compared to international contenders, Australia’s mixed sheep farms are the leaders when it comes to the world’s most profitable farming enterprises.

And Western Australian mixed sheep-cropping enterprises are the most successful in the world.

This is according to the annual agri benchmark report released by Meat and Livestock Australia which said due to strong demand, constrained supply and high prices, Australian sheep farms hold a strong position on the global whole-farm front.

The report, How are global and Australian sheep producers performing, compares costs, productivity and profitability of Australian sheep farms against 16 other countries.

Read more here…

South America

meat ban

Argentina bans meat exports for 30 days in an attempt to curb inflation

The Argentine government of President Alberto Fernández has announced all meat exports will be banned for the next 30 days in an attempt to slow down inflation as domestic prices went up 20% owing to foreign demand.

The Ministry of Productive Development has briefed the Consortium of Argentine Meat Exporters (ABC) on the decision to ABC President Mario Ravettino, who was summoned to the Casa Rosada Monday.Although the suspension will be for 30 days, Ministry sources have leaked it will rather last “until the domestic market is in order,” according to local media.

Read More here

Brazil corn

Brazil’s Coffee, Orange, Corn Exports at Risk Amid Worst Drought in Two Decades

As Brazil grapples with the aftermath of record-low rainfall, the country’s water crisis may begin threatening the global supply of products like coffee, corn, and oranges.

Pinheiro’s 53-hectare (131-acre) plantation of arabica-coffee crops received less than half the water necessary in the past season, which runs from November through March.

Some 15% of Brazil’s arabica coffee fields are irrigated, while some 30% of orange crop fields are irrigated, according to the outlet. Despite irrigation, Brazil’s orange crop production has dropped some 31% this year.

Read More here

UPDATE 2-ARGENTINA GRAIN EXPORTS HIT BY PORT STRIKE OVER COVID-19 VACCINES

BUENOS AIRES, May 19 (Reuters) – Argentina’s grains exports were bogged down on Wednesday after port workers launched a strike over what they described as a lack of COVID-19 vaccinations among members, the head of the Port and Maritime Activities chamber told Reuters by telephone.

In a statement, the port worker unions said they had launched a strike that will run until late Thursday.

Read More here

Food Updates

flavours

Flavours of tomorrow: What’s trending for 2021?

Chris Whiting from Synergy Flavours highlights the key drivers behind future flavour trends and what to look out for this year.

The food industry is heavily influenced by a range of sources – travel, social media, global events, culture, celebrities, the list goes on. Trend-tracking technology and processes are important for identifying trends as they emerge, but how can manufacturers work to stay several steps ahead of consumers to predict what they might want next?

Synergy Flavours conducts extensive research every year to predict the rising stars in flavours. Consumer buying habits, bloggers, food writers and futurologists have all helped to inform research, which is also benchmarked with real data from product launches and global search trends. Here, we explain the influences that drive future flavour trends and look at the trends set to take the top spot in 2021.

Read more here

vegetables

Eat more veg while you wait for the jab
Research has proven a varied diet with lots of high-fibre foods can help boost gut health and prevent against disease.This includes against infections like the common cold, the flu, and even COVID-19.Despite this evidence, recent dietary surveys show just 4 per cent of Australians meet the recommended daily intake of vegetables, while only 3 in 10 Aussies consume the recommended daily amount of fruit.

Fresh food, including nuts along with fruits and vegetables, are our first and best medicines but a conversation about our eating habits has been strangely absent as we navigate our way through the current pandemic.

Read more here

Jerky

The popularity of meat snacks is now cut and dried

Beef jerky has become a surprise winner in Australia’s growing obsession with snack foods.

More than half of all Australian adults now admit to snacking much more than they used to – most blaming pandemic lockdowns.

But tired of ‘unhealthy’ chips and lollies they have turned to healthier options and have become hooked on low-fat protein-packed jerky.

Once only the darling of roadside stalls or farmers’ markets, Australia’s love affair with dried meat has seen jerky push aside the competitors in the major supermarkets.

Many people have even turned to using their ovens at home to cook up their own jerky, or even air drying their slice meat.

Read more here
strawberry-season

Late strawberry season means bigger and juicier berries

British strawberry season officially kicks off today, with a later than usual start leading to bigger and juicier strawberries for UK consumers than they might normally find.

Today marks the official start of the British strawberry season, when supermarkets across the UK are fully stocked with the popular red berry so synonymous with the Great British summer.

The British strawberry season has started later this year after a cooler winter and spring have helped strawberry flowering and ripening to occur a little more gradually. That means Brits can enjoy larger, juicier, but just as tasty British strawberries this year.

Read more here

malawi-soil-sample

The “postcode lottery” of micronutrients in crops
When it comes to getting crucial micronutrients from crops, it really does depend on where you live. That’s according to new research conducted by a team of universities from the UK, Ethiopia, and Malawi.The amount of micronutrients people get from the crops that they eat is a type of ‘postcode lottery’ according to new research that has analysed thousands of cereal grains and soils as part of a project to tackle hidden hunger in Malawi and Ethiopia.A global team led by the University of Nottingham and its Future Food Beacon including academics and researchers from Addis Ababa University (AAU) in Ethiopia and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Malawi, working on the GeoNutrition project, have discovered more about the relation between soils, crops and micronutrient deficiencies among people living there. Their findings have been published today in the journal Nature.

Read more here

The Government of the province of Buenos Aires has formalized the creation of the Provincial Program Good Agricultural Practices Soils, with the aim of promoting the recovery and development of the fields, and also contributing to sustainable local development and rural roots.

The Programme seeks to encourage sustainable production based on soil care and responsible application of agrochemicals, based on distribution, training in the field, certifications and economic incentive.

Applicants need to submit an analysis establishing the soil status of agricultural production units whose results will enable them to submit a three-year work plan for each agricultural production unit with the aim of implementing BPA to improve soil suitability.

The design of the plan should include the implementation of crop rotation that ensures a positive balance in terms of carbon fixation in the soil; practices to prevent water and wind erosion; and the implementation of actions leading to the gradual reduction of agrochemical use in production.

It also establishes the development of a network of  agents for the implementation and coordination of the Programme.

Producers will receive technical assistance for incorporation into the Programme, and the development of a feasibility assessment report of the three-year work plan.

Once this plan has been approved, the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture will determine the incorporation of applicants into the programme and their registration in the Register and then corroborate the fulfilment of the proposed targets, after which the Directorate of Cereals and Oilseeds will prepare a report recommending whether or not to categorize the registered producer as active.

Incentives include a non-reimbursable contribution to be calculated at 75% of the following scale: for agricultural production units up to 600 hectares the equivalent of 10% of the real estate rate; for agricultural production units of 601 and 1,000 the equivalent of 6%, and for agricultural production units of 1,001 hectares onwards, with a maximum cap of 5,000 3% of the real estate rate.

Over the years, the value of global quinoa market had been increasing significantly, surpassing 72 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. Quinoa is almost exclusively grown in South America. In line with the exorbitant increasing quinoa demand from developed countries, the global price saw a tremendous growth from 2010 to 2014. As of December, 2020, a kilogram of quinoa cost around 1.8 U.S. dollars on average worldwide.

Tradelinks Quinoa harvest for 2021 has begun, and hence a new cycle! This year’s yield is low; as much as 30% less quinoa will be harvested than last year. Additionally, several exporters hold onto quinoa stock thanks to low-cost promotion financing Peruvian Government issue to mitigate Covid impact on the national economy.

Quinoa demand in the U.S.

Our biggest demand comes from the United States, which is the biggest importer of quinoa, followed by Canada and Germany. The U.S. import value of quinoa amounted to over 101 million U.S. dollars in 2020. In that year, most of the U.S. quinoa imported from both Bolivia and Peru. In 2018, the value of quinoa consumption in the United States amounted to about 61.32 million U.S. dollars. Quinoa consumption was estimated to reach a value of 117.12 million U.S. dollars by 2024.

Our Quinoa reaches all over the globe!

About the Quinoa Plants

As always, at Tradelink we strive for sustainable and ethical supply, and with our boots on the ground, we keep close control on the crops from planting through to harvesting, to ensure the product arrives at our clients in perfect condition. For more information, please email sales@tradelinksa.com.

New Zealand

agronomy

Why Performance Agronomy is the future of farming

The name Wholesale Seeds may not be new to you. Since 2007, they have evolved from being a product supplier to building a reputation for exceptional agronomy. Now, to meet the growing demand for their more specialised agronomy advice, hands-on services and tailored solutions, Wholesale Seeds is introducing a new brand – Catalyst Performance Agronomy.

Inspired by its meaning, (an agent that promotes or speeds significant change or action) ‘Catalyst’ resonates highly with the progressive nature of this business. “Our new brand has a lofty vision to reshape the New Zealand pastoral sector with industry-leading agronomic product and service delivery,” says CEO Patrick Davis. 

Read More here…

dairy prices

Dairy prices likely to stay stronger for longer as supply is constrained

Dairy prices are likely to remain stronger for longer as farmers are constrained in ramping up supply to meet robust demand, analysts say.

BNZ on Friday raised its expectation for Fonterra’s forecast milk price for next season, to $7.80 per kilogram of milk solids, from $7 per kgMS. That’s higher than BNZ’s forecast for this season of $7.70 per kgMS.

Fonterra is due to make its first milk price forecast for next season by the end of this month. Expectations from the four major banks range from $7.30 per kgMS to $8 per kgMS.

Read More here…

Uncertainty for growers drives up tomato prices

Tomatoes saw their biggest monthly price rise in 10 years last month, as growers face uncertainty for the year ahead.

Prices in April rose to a weighted average of $6.34/kg, compared to March when they cost $2.98/kg.

Despite more than doubling, prices were still down on the record high of $13.65/kg they reached in August last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic led to a tomato shortage. 

Stats NZ consumer prices manager Katrina Dewbery said tomato prices have been “particularly low” over the last three months.

Read more here

nz-wool

COVID-19 vaccines drive global demand for New Zealand wool grease

The grease which is a by-product of wool scouring is used in cosmetics, skincare and medicines.

New Zealand wool is high in cholesterol which can then be turned into vitamin D. The vitamin is in COVID-19 vaccines which is increasing demand for wool grease.

WoolWorks New Zealand is the only company in the country that produces and exports wool grease.

Its chief executive Nigel Hale said with global demand increasing prices were going up too.

Read more here…

wine-vineyard

Despite extra seasonal workers, uncertainty remains for wine industry ahead of winter pruning

With more seasonal workers soon to enter New Zealand, there is optimism in the wine industry ahead of the winter pruning season. 

However, it is still “very much wait and see” as to whether there will be enough workers to stem the sector’s ongoing labour shortage.

Earlier this week the Government announced more than 2000 recognised seasonal employer (RSE) workers would be given space in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities over the coming 10 months.

Around 300 RSE workers will arrive monthly from Pacific countries starting in June, with a total of 2400 arriving by March next year.

Read More here…

Australia

sorghum1

Sorghum season delivers windfall

THERE have been some issues with mice, but by and large the nation’s sorghum producers are delighted with a big crop.

In Queensland, there have been pockets advantaged by storm rainfall that have pushed the 8 tonne a hectare mark, with consistent yields around 4-4.5t/ha, while on the Liverpool Plains in NSW croppers have also been able to hit the 7-8t/ha mark where they have been able to avoid mouse damage.

Prices for the feed grain remain high, with Chinese demand from both the livestock feeder and alcohol manufacturing sectors strong.It means prices have held firm at around $270 a tonne delivered upcountry or around $300/t port for quality product. 

Read more here

wisky

A day for a whisky, the water of life

THE WEATHER is cooling down and thoughts are turning from days at the beach to open fires and warm jackets.

The timing for World Whisky Day, which is on today, could not be more perfect for Australians who can mark the occasion with a warming dram.

World Whisky Day features a number of tastings, events and gatherings, but organisers have said the overarching goal is to make the drink fun.

Whisky distillers are becoming a small, but important, source of demand for premium Australian malt barley.

While whisky is very much associated with Scotland and Ireland, and, in recent years, Japan, there are now around 50 distillers in Australia producing whisky.

Read more here

pineapple

Pineapple industry heads to Bundaberg

AUSTRALIA’s pineapple industry will head to Bundaberg this July for the Golden Circle 2021 Pineapple Field Days.

Delivered by Growcom on behalf of the Australian pineapple industry, the two-day event will include information sessions, practical field walks, gala dinner and a trade show.

The event will be a major drawcard for growers, researchers, and supply chain operators.

Australian Pineapples chairman Stephen Pace said he is excited for the return of the Pineapple Field Days this year, after the event was cancelled in 2020 because of covid restrictions.

Read more here

feed emissions

Feed additive delivers 90pc methane emission in feedlots

Meat & Livestock Australia recently tested the use of Bovaer, a feed additive developed by DSM to reduce enteric methane emissions, in Australian feedlot operations.

Bovaer is designed to inhibit the last step of methane production in ruminant animals. It is broken down to natural products during the process.

The trial was completed at the University of New England and tested Bovaer under different inclusion rates. Methane reductions of 90 per cent were observed, with no negative effects on animal performance.

The results were presented this week at a webinar “Moving towards carbon neutrality” hosted by Australian Lot Feeders’ Association.

Read more here

organic agriculture

Organic farmers push to improve soil structure in the dry

A BELIEF that conventional cropping systems will struggle to be sustainable has led a South Australian farming couple to tackle the challenge of an organic broadacre cropping business.

Josh and Peri McIntosh, Nadda, south-east of Loxton, are farming their Border Park property according to organic principles.

The property has been certified organic since 1996, but Mr McIntosh said some tweaks in recent years were ironing out some of the major issues with organic cropping.

“One of the major problems I had with organic cropping was that it relied so heavily on cultivation, which in turn had a detrimental impact on the soil,” Mr McIntosh said.

Read more here…

South America

soy

Will Argentina squeeze exporters as soybeans rise above US $ 600 in Chicago?

Argentine economists are eyeing the recent increase in the international price of soybeans as some sort of light at the end of the tunnel following a severe recession, high indebtedness amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The rise of the oilseed above 600 dollars per ton in the Chicago market would translate into a greater and genuine inflow of foreign exchange for the country, also improving the prospects for tax collection.

It is now rumored that the Governor of Buenos Aires Axel Kicillof, a former Economy Minister under former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who -by the way- is running the country now as Vice President while Alberto Fernández is on his European tour, is in favor of a 5% increase in tax exports (already at 33%).

Read More here

argentina agriculture

High prices drive Argentina agricultural exports to record high

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – High international grain and oilseed prices drove Argentine agricultural exports to a record high $9.755 billion in the first four months of 2021, the CIARA-CEC chamber of export companies said on Thursday.

The previous record was $8.408 billion reported in January-April 2016, the chamber said in a report. The South American grains powerhouse is the world’s No. 3 corn exporter and its top supplier of soymeal livestock feed used to fatten hogs and poultry from Europe to Southeast Asia.

CIARA-CEC said idle capacity of Argentina’s grain processing industry fell to between 38% and 41% in the first three months of the year, after a record in soybean milling was reached in March, when 3.39 million tonnes of the oilseed were processed.

Read More here

Brazilizn corn

Drought impacting most Brazilian corn farms

In Brazil it all started with weather issues last year: soybean planting was delayed, that then turned into the soybean harvest delay, and is now dragging onto the safrinha (second crop) corn. The lack of rain in important producing regions (a great share of Brazil’s territory) in the past weeks may limit the crop yield in about 40% of the impacted acres.

“We planted with a delay of three weeks in comparison to 2020,” says Rogério Berwanger from Itapiranga Farm, a 2,800-acre farm in Mato Grosso. “It rained 1.25 inches (32 millimeters) so far. We are accounting a loss of around 30% to 50% in our farm’s total area. The final number will depend on how much it rains this May. The corn has already lost its height and potential.”

The price of corn continues higher and should remain like that for the next weeks, even with the start of the safrinha harvest. 

Read More here

Food Updates

strawberries

Strawberry root Salmonella contamination not a dietary risk

The research team concluded that Salmonella contamination via strawberry roots was not a food safety risk, but the possibility of surface contamination remains.

Strawberry production is one of the driving forces in the Spanish agriculture sector, being one of Europe’s most popular fruits. Their economic relevance, and the value that consumers assign them, make this fruit an object of scientific research from multiple perspectives, including that of food safety.

A research project undertaken by scientists from the University of Cordoba, including  Liliana Pérez-Lavalle, Elena Carrasco, Pedro Vallesquino-Laguna, Manuel Cejudo, Guiomar Denisse Posada and Antonio Valero, has aimed to evaluate whether the Salmonella Thompson bacteria, one of the pathogens that can contaminate the fruit through sewage and/or the soil, could penetrate through the roots of strawberry plants (specifically, the ‘San Andreas’ variety) and reach the fruit.

Read more here

Race

Pink drinks can make you a better runner

A study has discovered that pink coloured beverages have the power to enhance exercise performance, giving way to future opportunities within the sports category. 

Pink drinks can make you a better runner. A totally bizarre concept, yes, but a study undertaken by the Centre for Nutraceuticals in the University of Westminster has confirmed that pink beverages can indeed help you to run faster and further.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, revealed that a pink drink can increase exercise performance by 4.4 percent and elicit a ‘feel good’ factor, making exercise seem easier and more enjoyable.

For the study, participants ran on a treadmill for a period of 30 minutes at a self-selected speed, ensuring their rate of exertion remained consistent. 

 Read more here
Revol-Green

Revol Greens expands production of organic greens

OWATONNA, MINN. — After Revol Greens’ first-quarter launch of USDA Certified Organic Spring Mix, Green & Red Duo, and Romaine Crunch, the line has quickly sold out among new and existing customers. Now, the greenhouse lettuce grower is expanding its production capacity.  

“We knew that our Plant Fed nutrient source would meet a unique need in the market, but interest is outpacing expectations,” said Brendon Krieg, vice president of sales and marketing. “Revol Greens is the only lettuce grower in the country providing USDA Certified Organic products for consumers seeking an option that is not only produced sustainably and locally but is also organically grown through a 100 percent plant-based process.”

Read more here

bakery

St. Pierre Bakery identifies how pandemic has transformed eating habits

According to research from European bakery expert St. Pierre, 55 percent of the population have enjoyed not having the pressure of being somewhere at a specific time, with 35 percent agreeing that lockdowns have made them ‘live slower’.

As a result of the pandemic, 47 percent say that time-keeping around meal times has shifted. The shift in consumer behavior around meal times means shoppers are looking for versatile products that can work for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With National Brioche Day set to take place on Friday, May 14, sales of America’s number one brioche brand are up 48 percent year on year, with 43 percent of brioche consumers saying they opt for the enriched French dough because of its versatility.

Read more here

eggs

Can you grow enough protein in your backyard?

Researchers in the US are advocating for more people to grow their own protein and use their backyard as an asset to cope with supply chain disruptions and make the country more sustainable.

Many turned to gathering their own eggs as the COVID-19 pandemic caused shortages in the US

In 2020, stores sold out of garden seed, coops and rabbit cages, disrupting the research of a group of scientists. Yet an unintended consequence of this was that those same scientists are now starting to get an idea of the amount protein people can grow in their backyards.

The 2020 meat shortages led many to wonder what to eat for protein when supply chains are disrupted. Some people turned to gathering eggs, raising animals and growing their own food.

Read more here

Eco-Conscious Packaging

As we move into 2021, earth-friendly packaging alternatives are going to continue to be a hot button issue for environmentally-minded consumers. This might seem particularly unlikely given all the single-use packaging we’ve been seeing amid the pandemic, but that’s exactly why we’re expecting to see more eco-friendly packaging in 2021. For instance, some companies this year use made-to-go containers  that are made from balsa from tree stumps and other innovations include compostable cardboard liners for takeout boxes that combat leaks. This year many brands are aiming to deliver on eco-friendly promises may have to consider a different path that relies on a strategic approach to achieve energy, utility and material savings.

1. Oxo-Degradable Bubble Wrap

It wouldn’t be convenient to ditch bubble wrap completely – after all, protecting fragile items for damage in-transit is a necessity, and this is one of the most effective methods.

2. Recycled Paper & Cardboard packaging

We use paper and cardboard a lot when it comes to packaging, and in comparison to plastic it is seen as a much less harmful material. Despite it not being a pollutant, the environmental effects of deforestation can be devastating, and it’s important to accordingly reduce our use of paper.

3. Compostable Packaging

A great alternative option, there’s a wide variety of compostable packaging products that have a similar feel to plastic, but are made from natural and renewable materials such as corn starch, wood pulp, and other biologically sourced polymers.

 4. Biodegradable Mailing Pouches

A brown paper mailing pouch, usually with a bubble wrap interior for added protection, is a very common way of couriering items and documents both big and small.

5. Space Filler

To stop smaller items from banging around inside a larger box, space fillers are often used, typically made from polystyrene or similar material.

6. Just use less!

It’s not just about using specific types of packaging, but also the quantity you use. Cutting down on wasteful packaging should be a priority when putting a parcel together.

If you would like more information, please click here to see our product page!

[su_divider top=”no” divider_color=”#726c6d” size=”7″ margin=”5″]

[su_button url=”https://www.facebook.com/tradelinksainternational/?view_public_for=105757601162821″ target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: facebook-f” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradelink-sa/?viewAsMember=true” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: linkedin” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.instagram.com/tradelinknz/” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: instagram” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCewEsyFy0Y_1MdjwhsXvT0w” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: youtube” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″] [/su_button]

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCEkNZdMi04″ height=”200″ responsive=”no” fs=”no”]

There are two great areas where the Argentine bioeconomy has a relevant presence. Argentina has been on a path to transform biomass into increasingly valued products for several years.

From anchoring environmental care and generating development in the regions where the industries that produce these types of bioenergy are established. There are many strengths and opportunities of these technologies.

It’s a sector where an estimated $800 million of investment and about 1,500 direct jobs are estimated.  In these years Argentina imported 17 million tons of diesel, and without its own biodiesel it would have imported 27 million tons. It indicated that this type of industry generated great development in the regions where it was installed; provides high-quality work, technology and development.

The reason for the incorporation of biofuels is the environmental aspect. With this activity Argentina has a great chance of reducing its emissions. Argentina has 10 bioenergy provinces. It is an industry that generates a lot of work, in addition to the environmental benefits. According to studies that were carried out to meet the requirements of the most demanding European organisms, this technology generates a saving of 74% of greenhouse gases compared to the carbon footprint of naphtha.

Specialists indicated that when talking about biofuels we talk about a set of products, and there are also by-products. From the starch of the corn seed, bioethanol is extracted. The rest of the grain, the mocking or the DDGS for animal feed. Carbon dioxide is also captured for the gasified beverage industry, for mining, for fire extinguishers, etc. That’s why we say bioethanol plants are a modern example of the bioeconomy industry.

Biofuels are an excellent way to sustain the value of the chain. In addition to being used as fuel, it is also used as an adjuvant. Bio-Detergents, antifreeze can be made for aircraft wings, and a wide range of products. Glycerine is obtained, from which a chemical oil is configured with several products. It’s a matter of establishing productive links that allow them to move forward.

The most significant thing is emissions savings, because they are using carbon that has been captured through today’s photosynthesis.

Raw materials, in addition to soybeans or maize, can use fatty acids that come from different industries, including used vegetable oils.

A study was carried out in the province of Santa Fe, which was a pioneer with collective trials moved by pure biodiesel. It showed that there is no impact on the engines; trucks or collectives can use biodiesel or diesel. It is a fact that can be used pure and does not create problems.

With regard to foreign trade, the largest exporter of biofuels is the United States, which processes 40% of its maize, and Brazil also stands out. Argentina has exported ethanol to Brazil, Chile, Peru and the European Union. To the EU the quantities are not yet significant, it is 25 thousand cubic meters to Europe. But the future of ethanol is enormous around the world.

Second generation biofuels, the fatty acids left of the discarded oil are converted back into triglycerides in a plant, and this is exported to Europe. There it is used for direct burning for power generation in power plants. Emissions savings, in this case, exceed 90%.

The Argentine opportunity

Argentina is facing a huge opportunity to continue to grow in ethanol production, because it can build more industrial plants in many provinces. In 10 years they can have a more sustainable, clean energy environment.

The world has to go towards green initiatives, which will initially be more expensive and then the price will fall. If you look at the electricity generated with windmills or solar energy you can see how costs went down as the technology matures.

 

 

[su_divider top=”no” divider_color=”#726c6d” size=”7″ margin=”5″]

[su_button url=”https://www.facebook.com/tradelinksainternational/?view_public_for=105757601162821″ target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: facebook-f” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradelink-sa/?viewAsMember=true” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: linkedin” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.instagram.com/tradelinknz/” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: instagram” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]  [/su_button]  [su_button url=”https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCewEsyFy0Y_1MdjwhsXvT0w” target=”blank” style=”flat” size=”5″ icon=”icon: youtube” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″] [/su_button]

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCEkNZdMi04″ height=”200″ responsive=”no” fs=”no”]

 

New Zealand

fresh produce

New venture to connect western Southlanders with fresh produce

A resilience project by the South Coast Environment Society is hard at work to connect local communities by providing a link to food and produce.

Committee members Robyn Guyton and Anna Robertson have been trying to make Longwood Loop a reality.

The concept of Longwood Loop is to help local producers of food connect easily without having to travel more than 10km.

Guyton spoke of the bygone times when people used to personally know who they bought their groceries from; from the local beekeeper for honey to the local tomato grower and so on.

Read More here…

drought-farm

Sheep numbers plummet by 800,000 in a year

New Zealand’s sheep numbers plummeted by almost a million in 2020, new data shows.

Figures from Stats NZ put the sheep population at 26 million for the year ended June 2020, a fall of 800,000 from the previous year and a far cry from the peak of 70 million sheep in 1982.

Stats NZ agricultural production statistics manager Ana Krpo said widespread drought conditions and feed shortages were a major factor in the 3 per cent fall.

“Hawke’s Bay had the largest decrease, with the total number of sheep falling by 12 per cent (346,000) from the previous year to a total of 2.5 million as at June 2020.”

Read More here…

New Zealand cheesemakers fight back against EU protection of ‘halloumi’

Kiwi cheesemakers are fighting back against the EU’s protection of the name halloumi.

Already no cheese in the EU can be called halloumi unless it was made in Cyprus and now European lawmakers want to extend that to New Zealand.

The rubbery cheese is the latest in a string of naming rights demands the EU is making which includes products from feta to gorgonzola.

Cheesemakers in New Zealand say it’s a tactic to shut them out of growing export markets.

Read more here

fruit pick

Scheme that offered $1000 to relocate to pick fruit attracts just 339 people

An incentive scheme intended to attract unemployed people to plug the worker shortage in the horticulture sector had attracted just 339 people as of April 16.

The shortage is due to border closures, preventing Pacific Island workers from entering the country. Around 15,000 workers from the islands normally come each year to pick fruit and carry out other orchard or packing work.

The Ministry for Social Development seasonal work scheme, which offered up to $200 a week for accommodation costs and a $1000 incentive payment for workers who completed jobs of six weeks or longer, was launched late year. By early March only 87 people had signed up to the scheme.

Read more here…

forestry-trees-1120

Government eyes up establishing biofuels industry

The Government is eyeing up the possibility of using forestry waste to create a local biofuels industry.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on Monday said it was currently in the process of working on a business case to establish the sector.

If it went ahead, the industry would use the residues of trees milled in New Zealand to produce biocrude, liquid and solid biofuels.

Jason Wilson, director of sector investments at Te Uru Rākau  New Zealand Forest Service, says the move would help the country transition away from fossils fuels such as coal and petroleum.

Read More here…

Australia

grain

Call for higher yields in future crops

Researchers from The University of Western Australia’s (UWA) Institute of Agriculture are concerned that the worldwide adoption of biotechnology to improve crop production has stalled.

The UWA Institute of Agriculture associate director professor Wallace Cowling and adjunct professor Ashwani Pareek from Jawaharlal Nehru University in India are members of an international group of economists, plant breeders and basic plant scientists that has proposed a roadmap for future progress on the use of biotechnology to improve food security.

The group’s opinion article ‘Gaining acceptance of novel plant breeding technologies’ was published in a special 25-year anniversary issue of Trends in Plant Science on plant breeding.

Read more here

meat

Meat labelling uses blockchain traceability technology to lift sales

New age product labelling which uses blockchain technology to demonstrate the traceability of Australian beef has gone on show at Beef Australia 2021.

The project, named KPMG Origins – Trusted Beef Traceability, aims to deliver $115m in additional sales by 2025.

It is the result of a collaboration between southern NSW meat processor and exporter, Argyle Foods Group, Meat & Livestock Australia and business services giant KPMG, and targets significant export markets across South East Asia, with a focus on China.

That information, which can be used to validate product claims and underpin the premium quality status for beef from Australia, can be easily accessed by scanning a code on the product’s label.

Read more here

wool

Another bullish forecast for Aussie wool exports

The bullish forecasts for Australian wool exports have continued.

The only sign of nervousness is the ongoing trade tensions with China – about two-thirds of all Australian production is exported to China.

That unpredictability did not phase the author of the latest ANZ Agri Commodity Report which says the overall supply of Australian wool onto the market is forecast to grow for at least the next five years.

The report says the wool industry is already looking forward to a good Christmas.

This report builds on other economic forecasts, notably the ABARE predictions from earlier in the year, saying wool’s fortunes had bottomed out and were rebounding.

Read more here

grain market

Dry weather keeps northern grain markets firm

Northern grain markets continue to edge higher as persistent dry weather stalls farmer selling and casts doubts over the size and timing of new crop plantings. Ongoing strength in US futures and shortages of grain trucks are also supporting prices.

Prices for wheat, barley and sorghum in southern Queensland and northern NSW strengthened last week as traders and end users dealt with the absence of farmer selling and the difficulty in accessing grain trucks. Logistical difficulties have become more acute in recent weeks with the absence of farmer trucks on the road, because they are busy planting winter crops.

Farmers are planting wheat and barley in Queensland and northern NSW and are hoping to see top-up falls this week with forecasts of unsettled weather.

Read more here

consumer

Consumers demand to know the full story about what they buy

The world is rushing to labelling which tracks the entire life of every product.

Consumers are demanding every piece of information before they buy something.

Much sooner than many had thought, this background on where the product came from and how it got to them is likely to be including in the label or branding.

It might be a QR or barcode which the potential buyer scans with their phone which brings up the history of the item they intend to buy.

They will want be assured of such things as product quality, safety, authenticity and sustainability.

That scan will take them right back to the farm where it started its journey.

Read more here…

South America

Paragway

Paraguay finds new markets for meat and plastic products

araguay has exported US $ 426,223 worth of meat, plastic and aluminium to new markets in the region and Europe in the first quarter of 2021, it was reported Thursday.

Paraguay’s National Director of the Import and Export Network (Rediex), Estefanía Laterza, explained that Covid-19 restrictions have increased food consumption worldwide, hence, for the first time, different cuts of pork will be marketed to Uruguay.

“The COVID pandemic strengthened our exports with an increase in non-traditional products and previously unexplored markets. During March 2021, about four new markets were obtained for the exports of products originating in Paraguay, with an initial export value of US $ 426,223,” Laterza said in a TV interview.

Read More here

chillian fruit

Asia Surpasses US in Chilean Fruit Consumption

Consumers in the United States are accustomed to seeing “Product of Chile” labels affixed to fruit packaging in grocery stores throughout the country. Now, consumers in Asia will have a similar experience. New statistics released by the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX), a non-profit entity representing Chile’s fresh fruit growers and exporters, provide valuable insights on current shifts in the global fresh fruit market.

Statistics for the current marketing year show that Chile exported a total of 1,686,346 tons of fruit between Sept. 1, 2020, and April 19, 2021. Of that amount, 613,691 metric tons (36.4%) were exported to Asian markets, an increase of 15.28% over the same period of 2019–20. This increase is primarily attributable to the sudden uptick in cherry exports to China.The United States, which has historically been the largest consumer of Chilean fruit exports, accounted for 476,843 tons this year, bumping the country down to second place.

Read More here

Brasil Crop

Brazilian crop expansion spurred by higher prices

Farmers are familiar with the expression, “They’re not making any more farmland.” It’s true just about everywhere – except Brazil. Brazilian territory continues to be transformed into cropping acres as the world increases demand for animal protein. To be more precise, areas that used to serve as livestock pasture are now being transformed into cropping areas.

A study from the University of Illinois, “New soybean record,” points out that the back in the ‘90s, the southern region of Brazil, especially Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, had the original concentration of most soybean acres. But with the search for new and larger areas of land to expand the production, farmers started migrating north to the midwestern and northeastern parts of Brazil.

Read More here

Argentine crop-monitoring app SIMA takes off with NASA’s help

The Argentine creators of a thriving crop-monitoring app are looking to grow their business across Latin America.

The company behind the SIMA Monitoreo de Cultivos app, which helps producers manage their crops, reported a turnover of a million dollars in 2020 and has even partnered with US space agency NASA.

“Before, producers wrote down field data in a notebook. Now they can upload it to their mobiles, take photos and feed an algorithm that returns precise information about the state of their crops,”  systems engineer Andrés Yerkovich told AFP, discussing the app developed by his company SIMA (Sistema Integrado de Monitoreo Agrícola) in Rosario.

Read More here…

Food Updates

protein

Making natural protein easy
Nutrition is taking more of a front seat as many people are tiring of expensive diets and ‘gimmicky supplements’ that promise big results but don’t deliver. Instead, people are tending to favour a more balanced approach to health.This new, holistic approach to health is transforming the food market, and as it continues to evolve, there is a higher growth demand for consumers seeking natural nutritious foods that fit in with a lifestyle focused on general wellbeing.This new outlook has been further enhanced by authorities like the World Health Organization, which confirmed that a healthy diet plays a major role in fighting off coronavirus. The lockdown periods during the pandemic have also created change in people’s priorities, placing physical and mental health at the forefront of our minds.

Read more here

corn-stover

Corn stover used to clean up drinking water

Scientists in California have developed an efficient use for corn waste, which they claim can filter pollutants out of drinking water.

Corn is America’s top agricultural crop, but it also produces plenty of by-products. About half the harvest–stalks, leaves, husks, and cobs, remain as waste after the kernels have been stripped from the cobs.These leftovers, known as corn stover, have few commercial or industrial uses aside from burning. A new paper by engineers at University of California Riverside has outlined what they claim is an energy-efficient way to put corn stover back into the economy by transforming it into activated carbon for use in water treatment.

Read more here

Where is the hidden lactose?

Rising demand for lactose-free products has driven the development of a new standardised method for residual lactose determination. Katarzyna Niedzwiedzka explains why…

As more people aim for a healthy and balanced diet, the development of healthy food products has become a main priority for the 21st century food industry.

A growing number of novel products are being created and refined by the sector in response to consumers’ needs and increasing awareness of healthy living. In this context, products that address food allergies and intolerances can be viewed as a distinct category, as this requires adherence by food manufacturers to stricter food safety policies and procedures.

Read more here

offer

Ruby Encyclopedia offers chefs tips on using Ruby chocolate

Barry Callebaut Group, a leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, changed the face of the chocolate industry when it introduced a fourth type of chocolate – Ruby chocolate. The company’s groundbreaking Ruby chocolate was the first new natural color for chocolate in more than 80 years, and is described as an intense sensory delight, combining berry-fruitiness and luscious smoothness.

The chocolate has a pinkish hue, which along with its fruity flavor, comes from the Ruby cocoa bean. Barry Callebaut unlocks the flavor and color with a unique processing that doesn’t use berries, berry flavor, or added colors.

Read more here

mushrooms-food-waste

Is it time to give mushrooms more credit on Stop Food Waste Day?
As attitudes to food waste change, is it time to give one unsung hero its time in the spotlight? The UK and Ireland Mushroom Producers believe its versatility has led many across the UK to add it to their shopping trolleys during the pandemic.On this year’s Stop Food Waste Day, its perhaps time to pay homage to an unsung hero of the fridge’s bottom drawer. The humble mushroom, which can be thrown into almost any meal, has seen a rise in sales over the pandemic, and some believe it is an increased consciousness of food waste which has led to this.According to circular economy organisation WRAP, the UK wastes 4.5 million tonnes of food each year.1 Putting this in perspective – this represents 375,000 refuse collecting vehicles, which, if parked nose to tail would circumnavigate the M25 thirteen times.

Read more here