World Agrinews

Competition for soybean oil is intensifying in the United States among biofuel producers, the food industry and the oleochemical sector amid declining stocks and growing demand from the energy sector. Increased use of vegetable oils in renewable diesel and biodiesel production is raising concerns about higher feedstock costs for manufacturers of food products, detergents, cosmetics, lubricants and other industrial products.

The European Commission continues to assess agricultural trade between Ukraine and the EU amid new challenges facing Ukrainian exports. In its response to a letter from the Ukrainian Grain Association, the Commission focused on the current trade conditions, export logistics and opportunities to develop alternative routes.

Turkey resumed allowing ships to transit its straits on the way to the Black Sea, following unexplained delays for some vessels amid heightened security risks in the area.

Crude oil tanker Aegean Dream entered the Dardanelles Strait on Sunday after waiting in the area since Thursday, and was signaling its destination as the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Russia’s Novorossiysk, according to ship tracking data. Container vessel Mehmet Kahveci A also passed through the waterway early Sunday signaling Novorossiysk.

Dry weather is disrupting crop planting across Asia, raising concerns about food supplies in the world's most populous region, and an expected severe El Nino weather pattern could inflict more damage.

From ​India's grain-producing northwestern plains to Australia's eastern wheat belt, and from Thailand's rice fields to Indonesia's vast palm oil plantations, hot weather and below-normal rains are hurting crops ‌and forcing farmers to reduce planting, farmers, analysts and traders said.