There's a catch-22 in world food supply and demand. The demand for food from developing nations is putting pressure on supplies across the globe. But governments are getting increasingly nervous and worried about unrest. To try and preempt civil disturbances, governments have stepped in and are buying food staples. This government buying is driving prices still higher.

Algeria and Saudi Arabia have announced extraordinary purchases of wheat, driving prices to a two and a half year high. Last week Algeria bought 600,000 tons of wheat, much more than usual. Saudi Arabia announced plans to double the size of its wheat stockpile.

Continue reading Governments Stockpile Food to Avoid Panic Buying, Social Unrest

Governments Stockpile Food to Avoid Panic Buying, Social Unrest originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Mexico freezes prices on 150 food products

Mexico freezes prices on 150 food products originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

July rice traded as low as $18.52 per 100 pound bag, down about 5.5% and at its lowest level since March 24, 2008. Rice has now declined about 26% since its record high in April 2008.

Wednesday's downward catalyst? Improving rice planting conditions in Asia and the United States, along with falling wheat prices in the U.S. Rice is a staple for about 50% of the world's population. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that 72% of the U.S. rice crop was in good or excellent condition, up from 65% a week earlier. Further, wheat also fell to as low as $7.40 per bushel, which is 45% lower than the February 2008 record of $13.50 per bushel.

Shortages not likely

Economist Glen Langan, whose specializations include agricultural economics, told BloggingStocks Wednesday the food supply data points do not negate the two macro trends driving grain commodities higher -- rising developing world food demand from expanding middle classes and institutional investors chasing outsized equity returns -- but they do suggest one battle is being won: the battle over shortages.

Continue reading Rice prices hit two month low on increased global supplies

Rice prices hit two month low on increased global supplies originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 May 2008 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Rice set to record biggest weekly drop since 2004 as supplies jump

Rice set to record biggest weekly drop since 2004 as supplies jump originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 May 2008 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading My best stock ideas: Looking through Q2 and into the second half of 2008

My best stock ideas: Looking through Q2 and into the second half of 2008 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Rice shortages in America? Unbelievable

Rice shortages in America? Unbelievable originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Soros says 'commodity bubble' is still in growth stage

Soros says 'commodity bubble' is still in growth stage originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Rice, grain price hikes likely mean even higher U.S. grocery bills ahead

Rice, grain price hikes likely mean even higher U.S. grocery bills ahead originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rice hit a new all-time high, and corn neared a record on talk that commodities demand for grains will outstrip supply, Bloomberg News reported Thursday.

Rice, which is a staple food for about 3 billion people, surged 3.6% to $20.26 per 100 pounds Thursday, while corn for May 2008 delivery rose about 0.5% to $5.9875 a bushel, Bloomberg News reported. Government curbs on grain exports and bad weather are contributing to concerns that strong economic growth in emerging markets will cause demand to exceed the market's ability to provide adequate grain supplies.

The song remains the same

Economist Glen Langan told BloggingStocks Thursday the song remains the same regarding commodities, long-term. Although the commodities sector is overbought short-term, that short-term trading condition does not change the sector's secular, long-term fundamentals, which remain very bullish, he said.

"You could argue that a short-term bubble still exists in commodities like rice, wheat, soybean, and corn, so a word to the wise for any Johnny-come-lately traders," Langan said. "But from a fundamental and an economic perspective, grains and other commodities will continue to trend higher, after a correction. Decisions by China, India and others to cut rice exports speak to this trend. I don't see it ending in 2008."

The UBS Bloomberg Constant Maturity Commodity Index of 26 commodities has more than tripled in the last six years, as global demand, led by emerging market growth, has outpaced supplies for both commodities and raw materials.

Continue reading Rice hits record, corn nears high on concern global demand will outstrip supply

Rice hits record, corn nears high on concern global demand will outstrip supply originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Investing in 2008: Where's the smart money going?

Investing in 2008: Where's the smart money going? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last December, over 100 stocks were featured in our Top Picks for 2007 report. Now, at mid-year, we turn to the 20 advisors whose picks showed the strongest gains to get an update on their previous picks, as well as a new favorite stock for the second half of the year.

Thomas Bishop, editor of BI Research, chose Taseko Mining Ltd. (ASE: TGB) as his favorite for 2007, which rose 44% as of 6/1/07. Please see his original recommendation and his current opinion on the stock.

NutraCea (OTC: NTRZ) is his new stock pick. The advisor explains, "Rice is the most consumed grain on the planet and is a primary food source for 70% of the world's population. However, 65% of its nutritional value is in the bran covering that is routinely stripped off. NutraCea offers a patent technology that preserves these nutrients.

"NutraCea had developed a technology that stabilizes rice bran into an FDA-certified edible product, leaving the nutritional value of the bran intact with a shelf life of one to three years. There is tremendous interest in this highly nutritional product, especially from humanitarian relief organizations, the nutraceutical industry, and both human and animal food companies.

"NutraCea's client roster has 187 customers, including the likes of General Mills, Pepperidge Farms, Con Agra, Archer Daniels Midland, and Purina. In addition, some 500 companies have signed nondisclosure agreements with NutraCea to test using its product in their products.To cut to the chase, NutraCea is facing demand that is expected to exceed its ability to supply it for years to come.

Continue reading Top 20 advisors: Tom Bishop bets on NutraCea

Top 20 advisors: Tom Bishop bets on NutraCea originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.