SMEs told cocoa certification a must. http://mobile.foodanddrinkeurope.com/Consumer-Trends/Certified-cocoa-a-prerequisite-for-chocolate-industry-Cloetta/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=28-Aug-2014&c=g5U1F%2FHXoYplkvMjvUiZxM5Od1UihVne
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
US food trends
Breakfast shifts. http://mobile.foodnavigator-usa.com/Markets/Nielsen-data-on-what-America-eats-for-breakfast/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=27-Aug-2014&c=g5U1F%2FHXoYoBbSESgis5wYkYCzcKX%2BQd#.U_5tEaNuvJt
Coffee sustainability
Nespresso. http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Publications/Food-Beverage-Nutrition/beveragedaily.com/Manufacturers/Nespresso-sustainability-Nestle-The-Positive-Cup/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GIN_FNUd&c=g5U1F%2FHXoYoiOzo%2F7Qj1WRlI%2F6JgrCJZ
GMO labelling
http://mobile.foodnavigator-usa.com/Regulation/GMO-labeling-bill-approved-for-Colorado-ballot/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=27-Aug-2014&c=g5U1F%2FHXoYoWutFhsxp64kP301Ydox33
Private label trends
Private label food trend. http://mobile.foodnavigator-usa.com/Suppliers2/Private-label-a-complex-landscape-Hartman-Group/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=27-Aug-2014&c=g5U1F%2FHXoYqS6fXHNg8wqn%2F7HZguvQw1#.U_5ryKNuvJs
Stevia applications
Stevia in sodas. http://mobile.foodnavigator-usa.com/Manufacturers/Stevia-sweetened-Coca-Cola-Life-makes-US-debut/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=27-Aug-2014&c=g5U1F%2FHXoYr4fFuvL0vH4DU30OMH6mXN#.U_5rbaNuvJs
Algae news
Solazyme interview. http://mobile.foodnavigator-usa.com/Suppliers2/Innovating-with-microalgae-A-day-at-the-Solazyme-HQ/(page)/1
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Environmental news weekly watch
mongabay.com weekly newsletter - May 29, 2014 – RSPO vs TFT, Greenpeace accuses Herakles Cameroon, KLK loses PNG, WWF accuses April, Deutsche Bank divests Bumitama, Oxfam criticizes big food, Singapore wants companies to be responsible for haze
Yale environment 360, weekly newsletter - May 29, 2014 – Germany push for lignite (‘dirty’ brown coal) use & emissions set to rise after 20-year decline; US large dairy raises water pollution concern
Monday, May 12, 2014
Indonesia palm oil news
Vast hidden profits: from Asia's palm oil giants to a tiny British tax haven; http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/10/asian-logging-giant-tax-labyrinth-british-virgin-islands; Indonesian court helps to tear aside the veil of secrecy under which huge corporations operate in UK-linked tax haven, John Vidal in Road Town, Tortola, The Observer, Saturday 10 May 2014 23.11 BST
Indonesian Voters Head to Polls; Voice of America April 08, 2014 ; http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-indonesia-gears-up-for-legislative-election/1888504.html
JAKARTA - Some 187 million voters in Indonesia head to the polls Wednesday in parliamentary elections that will have a big influence on the country's presidential poll in July; Current electoral laws stipulate that a party or coalition of parties must win 25 percent of the popular vote or 20 percent of seats in the national parliament to nominate a presidential candidate.... But polls show that only one party, the Democratic Party of Struggle or PDI-P, will definitely pass the threshold.
Known locally as Jokowi, the Jakarta governor is wildly popular for his reputation for transparency and his hands-on approach to governance.... After his presidential bid was confirmed last month, the PDI-P’s popularity jumped from 27 to 37 percent in a widely watched opinion poll. The same poll showed the next closest party lagging 20 percent behind.... Professor Jemadu said it is too soon to call a Widodo presidential victory a certainty, but he said it is clear Indonesian voters want change....
A relative outsider with no connection to the country’s political elite, Joko Widodo is being touted as a new breed of Indonesian politician... Nonetheless, even as Widodo offers hope and change, the voting system is riddled with corruption... Since the collapse of Suharto’s 32-year authoritarian rule, this year marks the fourth time Indonesians will democratically elect their parliament... Results for the parliamentary election will be officially announced by May 9, but a quick count of the polls is expected within 24 hours.
Palm oil production in East Kalimantan on the rise; Jakarta Post, Mon, April 07 2014; http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/04/07/palm-oil-production-east-kalimantan-rise.html
Last year's production of fresh fruit bunches [TBS] and crude palm oil [CPO] reached 6.5 million tons and 1.4 million tons, respectively, up from only 1.6 million tons of TBS and 366,149 tons of CPO in 2008," Etnawati Usman, head of East Kalimantan ...
Sunday, May 4, 2014
US-Canada energy trade and Keystone politics
How Obama Shocked Harper as Keystone's Frustrator-in-Chief; bloomberg.com, Apr 25, 2014; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-24/how-obama-shocked-harper-as-keystone-frustrator-in-chief.html; Canada was so blinded by its long-held expectation that the U.S. wanted to buy its oil as much as Canada wanted to sell it that it missed critical cues -- including the hydraulic fracturing revolution that was starting to flood the U.S. with vast new energy supplies -- that Keystone was running into political trouble....This story of Harper’s and Obama’s frayed relations and how Keystone got bogged down was put together after on- and off-the-record interviews with more than 75 people -- current and former Canadian and U.S. government officials; Harper’s political advisers; industry executives; and Nebraska and Alberta politicians involved in the Keystone fray. A number of well-placed Canadian officials in a position to know the inside story asked not to be identified because they aren’t authorized to speak.......... the prime minister was unhappy that depictions of Canada as a “dirty oil” nation were not being adequately confronted by the industry or his ministers. He had become enamored with an argument put forth by conservative commentator Ezra Levant in a book called “Ethical Oil.” It posited that many petro-nations used their oil riches to finance nefarious activities and subjugate their own citizens........ Canada, in the view of Levant, stood practically alone as an ethical producer. In a “mandate letter” setting forth his priorities, Harper instructed Oliver, his new Natural Resources Minister, to become a take-no-prisoners salesman for Canada’s greatest resource....... In informal chats, U.S. officials suggested it would help Obama with his green constituency if Canada would move to regulate emissions from the oil and gas industry. The embassy in Washington, according to an official posted there, constantly relayed messages back home that Canada was being depicted as lax, almost indifferent on the environment. The message would come back that regulations were in the making........ The regulations didn’t surface because Harper and his closest advisers were dubious they mattered. They had come to the conclusion that Obama swallowed concessions whole and gave nothing back. Without an administration commitment to a joint approach, they felt Canada would be digging itself into a competitive hole, according to people familiar with the back-and-forth of the discussions........ Then just like that, or so it seemed in Canada, the emerging energy superpower got stopped in its tracks in Nebraska, America’s 37th-largest state by population and one crisscrossed by pipelines. The Canadians were surprised and stunned by the pushback, said a Canadian diplomat who worked on the file........ In Lincoln, the state capital, Republican Governor Dave Heineman was being lobbied by an unprecedented alliance of environmentalists, farmers and ranchers over a tiny stretch of the project in the Sandhills region.
On Aug. 31, just after the State Department passed its favorable assessment, Governor Heineman wrote Obama and Clinton. “Do not allow TransCanada to build a pipeline over the Ogallala Aquifer and risk the potential damage to Nebraska’s water,” he stated, adding he generally favored pipelines.
Chief Executive Officer Russ Girling said in an interview that the success of the grassroots campaign, employing scare tactics about unrelated matters like BP Plc’s Gulf of Mexico blowout, made TransCanada realize the game had changed for the pipeline industry. “We were caught flat-footed because historically we hadn’t had to deal with that issue on the ground,” he said........ Back in Ottawa Tuesday, a frustrated and determined Harper gathered with his senior ministers in the cabinet room on the third floor of the main Parliament building. The level of urgency and import had rarely if ever felt higher, participants recalled........ Harper opened by describing a world in which Europe’s economy was in shambles yet it preferred to talk about matters like climate change. The U.S. had shown itself prepared to sacrifice energy security and job creation to curry environmental favor. Only Asia, he said, treated economic growth seriously........ Canadian oil producers have come up with new ways of moving bitumen to market, notably by rail. The method generates greater emissions than pipelines and so presents a dilemma for environmentalists who argue Keystone is a climate-change issue....... Yet analysts say Canada has made its share of questionable judgments, too, most obviously its original misreading of Nebraska but also allowing itself to become stigmatized as an environmental laggard. John Kirton, a director of the G8 and G20 Research Groups at the University of Toronto who is writing a book on climate-change politics, said Harper has always taken a hesitant stand on climate change issues in domestic politics and at international summits, failing to build bridges and leaving Obama little to work with........ The Canadian government also failed to appreciate how the explosive growth of shale gas and oil produced by fracking has changed the rules of U.S. energy politics. Canada was still playing the classic energy security card at a time when import pressure was subsiding under a green president........ “If there’s a lesson in this,” said Preston Manning, Harper’s party leader when he first entered Parliament, “it’s that these market opportunities won’t last forever. I think Canadians just took it for granted that the U.S. could take all the oil and gas that Canada could ever produce.” ....... Some see a larger issue for Canada beyond pipelines and oil. “With Obama saying no to Canada or what amounts to a no, the lesson is that we cannot rely anymore on the United States for our economic well-being,” said Allan Gotlieb, former deputy minister of foreign affairs and Ambassador to Washington.......
No Keystone XL? Blame Canada, http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-04-25/no-keystone-xl-blame-canada
Keystone Weirdonomics Means Gas Prices Won’t Be Getting Any Cheaper By Tom Randall Apr 26, 2014 3:40 AM; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-25/keystone-weirdonomics-means-gas-prices-won-t-be-getting-any-cheaper-.html; “The Canadian plan was to use their market power to raise prices in the United States (UNG) and get more money from consumers,” Philip Verleger, founder of Colorado-based energy consulting firm PK Verleger LLC, said in an interview. Prices may gain 10 to 20 cents in central states, he said.... A Cornell University study in 2011 had similar findings: KXL will divert Tar Sands oil now supplying Midwest refineries, so it can be sold at higher prices to the Gulf Coast and export markets. As a result, consumers in the Midwest could be paying 10 to 20 cents more per gallon for gasoline and diesel fuel. These additional costs (estimated to total $2–4 billion) will suppress other spending and will therefore cost jobs....
Canada Finds China Option No Easy Answer to Keystone Snub; May 3, 2014 12:01 PM GMT+0800; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-02/how-canada-s-flirtation-with-a-china-oil-market-soured.html; .... Harper stood before a business audience in a luxury hotel banquet hall in Guangzhou, capital of China’s most populous province, putting on his best pro-China face while touting his nation’s virtues. “Canada is not just a great trading nation; we are an emerging energy superpower,” he said surrounded by a phalanx of red Chinese and Canadian flags.... Oil was top of mind. He noted that a single country -- the U.S. -- took 99 percent of Canada’s exports, a situation he described as contrary to Canada’s commercial interests. “You know,” he said, “we want to sell our energy to people who want to buy our energy. It’s that simple.”... That Harper now found himself in the People’s Republic hawking Alberta’s oil spoke to the depth of his frustration with Obama. His view, according to people close to Harper who knew his thinking but aren’t authorized to speak, was that sensible Americans would understand the folly of allowing Canada’s massive oil sands reserves, estimated at 168 billion recoverable barrels, to be sucked up by China, a rising economic and political rival. Yet if the Americans – most particularly a president inclined to indulge his green base at Canada’s expense - didn’t pay heed, then Harper had primed the pump to do business with the Chinese....Ultimately, Harper’s cabinet has the final say as to whether the 1,177-kilometer, C$6.5 billion Gateway project is approved. A decision is required by mid June. To kill it could undermine his arguments that Keystone ought to be built, arming anti-Keystone factions with a powerful argument that Canada isn’t willing to practice what it preaches to Obama.... To approve it risks a political and legal brawl. Some green and aboriginal groups are already sounding warnings of massive civil disobedience and lawsuits in British Columbia if Harper says yes. To change the game – with adjustments to the route and revenue sharing, for instance – could conceivably buy peace, at a cost..... “We’re long on rhetoric and short on strategic thinking and planning,” said Wenran Jiang, a University of Alberta China specialist who consults to the Alberta government and energy industry. “You can’t engage the second-largest economy in the world in such a way.” ...Against this principled Harper stood Harper the realist: The oil industry, centered in his home province of Alberta, increasingly recognized it needed new markets for its oil. When first elected prime minister, Harper had firmly embraced an anti-China wing of his party, adopting their belief that China needed Canada and its resources more than Canada needed China, according to advisers familiar with the strategy who asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak... This led to an approach often described internally as cold diplomacy with warm economics...
On Aug. 31, just after the State Department passed its favorable assessment, Governor Heineman wrote Obama and Clinton. “Do not allow TransCanada to build a pipeline over the Ogallala Aquifer and risk the potential damage to Nebraska’s water,” he stated, adding he generally favored pipelines.
Chief Executive Officer Russ Girling said in an interview that the success of the grassroots campaign, employing scare tactics about unrelated matters like BP Plc’s Gulf of Mexico blowout, made TransCanada realize the game had changed for the pipeline industry. “We were caught flat-footed because historically we hadn’t had to deal with that issue on the ground,” he said........ Back in Ottawa Tuesday, a frustrated and determined Harper gathered with his senior ministers in the cabinet room on the third floor of the main Parliament building. The level of urgency and import had rarely if ever felt higher, participants recalled........ Harper opened by describing a world in which Europe’s economy was in shambles yet it preferred to talk about matters like climate change. The U.S. had shown itself prepared to sacrifice energy security and job creation to curry environmental favor. Only Asia, he said, treated economic growth seriously........ Canadian oil producers have come up with new ways of moving bitumen to market, notably by rail. The method generates greater emissions than pipelines and so presents a dilemma for environmentalists who argue Keystone is a climate-change issue....... Yet analysts say Canada has made its share of questionable judgments, too, most obviously its original misreading of Nebraska but also allowing itself to become stigmatized as an environmental laggard. John Kirton, a director of the G8 and G20 Research Groups at the University of Toronto who is writing a book on climate-change politics, said Harper has always taken a hesitant stand on climate change issues in domestic politics and at international summits, failing to build bridges and leaving Obama little to work with........ The Canadian government also failed to appreciate how the explosive growth of shale gas and oil produced by fracking has changed the rules of U.S. energy politics. Canada was still playing the classic energy security card at a time when import pressure was subsiding under a green president........ “If there’s a lesson in this,” said Preston Manning, Harper’s party leader when he first entered Parliament, “it’s that these market opportunities won’t last forever. I think Canadians just took it for granted that the U.S. could take all the oil and gas that Canada could ever produce.” ....... Some see a larger issue for Canada beyond pipelines and oil. “With Obama saying no to Canada or what amounts to a no, the lesson is that we cannot rely anymore on the United States for our economic well-being,” said Allan Gotlieb, former deputy minister of foreign affairs and Ambassador to Washington.......
No Keystone XL? Blame Canada, http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-04-25/no-keystone-xl-blame-canada
Keystone Weirdonomics Means Gas Prices Won’t Be Getting Any Cheaper By Tom Randall Apr 26, 2014 3:40 AM; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-25/keystone-weirdonomics-means-gas-prices-won-t-be-getting-any-cheaper-.html; “The Canadian plan was to use their market power to raise prices in the United States (UNG) and get more money from consumers,” Philip Verleger, founder of Colorado-based energy consulting firm PK Verleger LLC, said in an interview. Prices may gain 10 to 20 cents in central states, he said.... A Cornell University study in 2011 had similar findings: KXL will divert Tar Sands oil now supplying Midwest refineries, so it can be sold at higher prices to the Gulf Coast and export markets. As a result, consumers in the Midwest could be paying 10 to 20 cents more per gallon for gasoline and diesel fuel. These additional costs (estimated to total $2–4 billion) will suppress other spending and will therefore cost jobs....
Canada Finds China Option No Easy Answer to Keystone Snub; May 3, 2014 12:01 PM GMT+0800; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-02/how-canada-s-flirtation-with-a-china-oil-market-soured.html; .... Harper stood before a business audience in a luxury hotel banquet hall in Guangzhou, capital of China’s most populous province, putting on his best pro-China face while touting his nation’s virtues. “Canada is not just a great trading nation; we are an emerging energy superpower,” he said surrounded by a phalanx of red Chinese and Canadian flags.... Oil was top of mind. He noted that a single country -- the U.S. -- took 99 percent of Canada’s exports, a situation he described as contrary to Canada’s commercial interests. “You know,” he said, “we want to sell our energy to people who want to buy our energy. It’s that simple.”... That Harper now found himself in the People’s Republic hawking Alberta’s oil spoke to the depth of his frustration with Obama. His view, according to people close to Harper who knew his thinking but aren’t authorized to speak, was that sensible Americans would understand the folly of allowing Canada’s massive oil sands reserves, estimated at 168 billion recoverable barrels, to be sucked up by China, a rising economic and political rival. Yet if the Americans – most particularly a president inclined to indulge his green base at Canada’s expense - didn’t pay heed, then Harper had primed the pump to do business with the Chinese....Ultimately, Harper’s cabinet has the final say as to whether the 1,177-kilometer, C$6.5 billion Gateway project is approved. A decision is required by mid June. To kill it could undermine his arguments that Keystone ought to be built, arming anti-Keystone factions with a powerful argument that Canada isn’t willing to practice what it preaches to Obama.... To approve it risks a political and legal brawl. Some green and aboriginal groups are already sounding warnings of massive civil disobedience and lawsuits in British Columbia if Harper says yes. To change the game – with adjustments to the route and revenue sharing, for instance – could conceivably buy peace, at a cost..... “We’re long on rhetoric and short on strategic thinking and planning,” said Wenran Jiang, a University of Alberta China specialist who consults to the Alberta government and energy industry. “You can’t engage the second-largest economy in the world in such a way.” ...Against this principled Harper stood Harper the realist: The oil industry, centered in his home province of Alberta, increasingly recognized it needed new markets for its oil. When first elected prime minister, Harper had firmly embraced an anti-China wing of his party, adopting their belief that China needed Canada and its resources more than Canada needed China, according to advisers familiar with the strategy who asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak... This led to an approach often described internally as cold diplomacy with warm economics...
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Sugar news
Bunge in Process of Selling Brazil Sugar Business; Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2014 ; http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304788404579522633959049714?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304788404579522633959049714.html
"We're in the process and when we reach the moment (of closing a sale) we'll announce it," Mr. Parente told reporters at a dinner ahead of the inauguration on Friday of a grain-loading terminal in Barcarena, in northern Brazil.
Brazil Sugar King Cleared to Buy Top Commodity Rail Route, Apr 16, 2014
Bloomberg; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-15/brazil-sugar-king-cleared-to-buy-top-commodity-rail-route.html; Cosan, the sugar maker controlled by billionaire Rubens Ometto, won unanimous approval from ALL-America Latina Logistica SA (ALLL3) controlling shareholders to buy the train operator for about $3 billion in an all-stock deal, ALL-Logistica said in a ...
Wilmar Forms Myanmar Sugar Venture to Expand Push Into Sweetener By Yuriy Humber Apr 14, 2014 9:40 AM; Wilmar International Ltd. (WIL), the largest sugar cane miller in Australia, agreed to form a Myanmar venture with a local partner as it builds on a four-year push into sugar production in Asia. The Singapore-based company will hold 55 percent in the venture with Great Wall Food Stuff Industry Co. after buying all of the local company’s sugar-manufacturing capacity, Wilmar said today in a statement. Wilmar will use its own funds for the investment and the venture will not have a “material impact” on this year’s earnings per share, the company said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-14/wilmar-forms-myanmar-sugar-venture-to-expand-push-into-sweetener.html
This Is What Happens When You Give Up Sugar for One Year; April 11, 2014; http://time.com/59856/this-is-what-happens-when-you-give-up-sugar-for-one-year/
The World Health Organization recently announced new guidelines, suggesting we cut our sugar intake to 5% of our daily calories, down from the previously recommended 10%. But in 2011, Eve Schaub had already decided to do something even more drastic: eliminate sugar from her diet altogether.... In her new book, Year of No Sugar, out this week, the author chronicles how she, her husband, and their two children got through the challenge. Starting with the usual suspects, like table sugar and honey (natural sugar, like the kind found in fruit, was acceptable), the Schaubs eliminated any food products containing added sugar. To their surprise, that meant some salad dressings, mayonnaise, bread, and even bacon.... The result: they started feeling much better. The changes came on slowly, Schaub says, beginning with having more energy. Schaub’s daughters missed fewer days of schools.
Sugar Output in Thailand May Miss Target as Drought Cuts Yields; Bloomberg Mar 31, 2014 6:35 PM ; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-31/sugar-output-in-thailand-may-miss-target-as-drought-cuts-yields.html
Thailand, the world's second-biggest sugar exporter, may produce less sweetener this year than forecast as dry weather shrinks yields, according to Thai Sugar Millers Corp. Output may total 11 million metric tons in the year started Nov. 25, less than ...
Cargill, Copersucar to form world's No. 1 sugar trader, Thu Mar 27, 2014; http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/cargill-sugar-idUSL5N0MO3O220140327
U.S.-based agribusiness trader Cargill and Brazil's Copersucar announced plans on Thursday to form a business to create the world's biggest sugar trader through a 50-50 joint venture. The venture will combine ...
Sugar Output in India Seen Jumping as Subsidy Boosts Exports; Bloomberg - 27 March 2014; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-27/sugar-production-in-india-seen-jumping-as-subsidy-boosts-exports.html; Sugar output in India, the world's largest producer after Brazil, is set to climb for the first time in three years as a subsidy for raw exports and abundant dam water spur farmers to increase planting.
"We're in the process and when we reach the moment (of closing a sale) we'll announce it," Mr. Parente told reporters at a dinner ahead of the inauguration on Friday of a grain-loading terminal in Barcarena, in northern Brazil.
Brazil Sugar King Cleared to Buy Top Commodity Rail Route, Apr 16, 2014
Bloomberg; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-15/brazil-sugar-king-cleared-to-buy-top-commodity-rail-route.html; Cosan, the sugar maker controlled by billionaire Rubens Ometto, won unanimous approval from ALL-America Latina Logistica SA (ALLL3) controlling shareholders to buy the train operator for about $3 billion in an all-stock deal, ALL-Logistica said in a ...
Wilmar Forms Myanmar Sugar Venture to Expand Push Into Sweetener By Yuriy Humber Apr 14, 2014 9:40 AM; Wilmar International Ltd. (WIL), the largest sugar cane miller in Australia, agreed to form a Myanmar venture with a local partner as it builds on a four-year push into sugar production in Asia. The Singapore-based company will hold 55 percent in the venture with Great Wall Food Stuff Industry Co. after buying all of the local company’s sugar-manufacturing capacity, Wilmar said today in a statement. Wilmar will use its own funds for the investment and the venture will not have a “material impact” on this year’s earnings per share, the company said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-14/wilmar-forms-myanmar-sugar-venture-to-expand-push-into-sweetener.html
This Is What Happens When You Give Up Sugar for One Year; April 11, 2014; http://time.com/59856/this-is-what-happens-when-you-give-up-sugar-for-one-year/
The World Health Organization recently announced new guidelines, suggesting we cut our sugar intake to 5% of our daily calories, down from the previously recommended 10%. But in 2011, Eve Schaub had already decided to do something even more drastic: eliminate sugar from her diet altogether.... In her new book, Year of No Sugar, out this week, the author chronicles how she, her husband, and their two children got through the challenge. Starting with the usual suspects, like table sugar and honey (natural sugar, like the kind found in fruit, was acceptable), the Schaubs eliminated any food products containing added sugar. To their surprise, that meant some salad dressings, mayonnaise, bread, and even bacon.... The result: they started feeling much better. The changes came on slowly, Schaub says, beginning with having more energy. Schaub’s daughters missed fewer days of schools.
Sugar Output in Thailand May Miss Target as Drought Cuts Yields; Bloomberg Mar 31, 2014 6:35 PM ; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-31/sugar-output-in-thailand-may-miss-target-as-drought-cuts-yields.html
Thailand, the world's second-biggest sugar exporter, may produce less sweetener this year than forecast as dry weather shrinks yields, according to Thai Sugar Millers Corp. Output may total 11 million metric tons in the year started Nov. 25, less than ...
Cargill, Copersucar to form world's No. 1 sugar trader, Thu Mar 27, 2014; http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/cargill-sugar-idUSL5N0MO3O220140327
U.S.-based agribusiness trader Cargill and Brazil's Copersucar announced plans on Thursday to form a business to create the world's biggest sugar trader through a 50-50 joint venture. The venture will combine ...
Sugar Output in India Seen Jumping as Subsidy Boosts Exports; Bloomberg - 27 March 2014; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-27/sugar-production-in-india-seen-jumping-as-subsidy-boosts-exports.html; Sugar output in India, the world's largest producer after Brazil, is set to climb for the first time in three years as a subsidy for raw exports and abundant dam water spur farmers to increase planting.
Friday, April 11, 2014
China anti-pollution efforts
China’s Li Swaps Steel Production for Cleaner Air: Commodities
By Bloomberg News Apr 11, 2014; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-11/china-s-li-swaps-steel-production-for-cleaner-air-commodities.html
China’s slowing economy and tougher government anti-pollution efforts are taking a toll on its steel mills, rattling the world’s biggest producer of the alloy and flashing worries of a potential downturn in the global iron-ore trade.
By Bloomberg News Apr 11, 2014; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-11/china-s-li-swaps-steel-production-for-cleaner-air-commodities.html
China’s slowing economy and tougher government anti-pollution efforts are taking a toll on its steel mills, rattling the world’s biggest producer of the alloy and flashing worries of a potential downturn in the global iron-ore trade.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Buyer policies on palm oil
Indian food giant to source deforestation-free palm oil; Mongabay.com; http://news.mongabay.com/2014/0319-orkla-zero-deforestation.html; Orkla, a Nordic conglomerate that owns MTR Foods, one of India's major food companies, has established a zero deforestation policy for the palm oil it sources, reports Greenpeace... Orkla's policy commits it to full traceability and bars palm oil produced via forest and peatlands conversion by 2017. There are also provisions for workers rights and local communities.
Read: http://www.orkla.com/content/download/81608/16345118/file/Orkla%20Policy%20for%20sustainable%20palm%20oil.pdf
General Mills ramps up palm oil pledge to consider deforestation; BakeryAndSnacks.com 25 March 2014; http://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Manufacturers/General-Mills-ramps-up-palm-oil-pledge-to-consider-deforestation; The cereal and snack titan said that while it was a, “relatively minor user of palm oil”, it remained committed to sourcing 100% of its palm oil responsibly and sustainably by 2015 - a pledge it first made in 2010. General Mills said it would continue ...
Colgate-Palmolive Latest Company to Jump on Deforestation-Free Palm Oil ...; Union of Concerned Scientists - Mar 24, 2014; http://www.ucsusa.org/news/commentary/colgate-palmolive-deforestation-free-palm-oil-0405.html; BERKELEY, Calif. (March 24, 2014) - Just days after General Mills committed to sourcing deforestation-free palm oil, Colgate-Palmolive today released its palm oil sourcing policy. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), major companies ...
Procter & Gamble think they can ignore deforestation - here's how we turn up the pressure; Greenpeace UK (blog); The companies you buy palm oil from are cutting down huge areas of rainforest - Greenpeace has photographic evidence from palm oil companies; http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/forests/procter-gamble-think-they-can-ignore-deforestation-heres-how-we-turn-pressure-20140318
Procter & Gamble bows to pressure on palm oil deforestation; The Guardian, 9 April 2014; http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/apr/09/procter-gamble-bows-to-pressure-on-palm-oil-deforestation; Procter & Gamble has bowed to pressure from environmentalists and revealed a new, extensive no-deforestation policy in the production of its products, including demanding fully traceable palm oil from suppliers. In the wake of severe criticism by a ...
and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/08/palm-oil-procter-gamble_n_5112715.html?utm_hp_ref=green
Read: http://www.orkla.com/content/download/81608/16345118/file/Orkla%20Policy%20for%20sustainable%20palm%20oil.pdf
General Mills ramps up palm oil pledge to consider deforestation; BakeryAndSnacks.com 25 March 2014; http://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Manufacturers/General-Mills-ramps-up-palm-oil-pledge-to-consider-deforestation; The cereal and snack titan said that while it was a, “relatively minor user of palm oil”, it remained committed to sourcing 100% of its palm oil responsibly and sustainably by 2015 - a pledge it first made in 2010. General Mills said it would continue ...
Colgate-Palmolive Latest Company to Jump on Deforestation-Free Palm Oil ...; Union of Concerned Scientists - Mar 24, 2014; http://www.ucsusa.org/news/commentary/colgate-palmolive-deforestation-free-palm-oil-0405.html; BERKELEY, Calif. (March 24, 2014) - Just days after General Mills committed to sourcing deforestation-free palm oil, Colgate-Palmolive today released its palm oil sourcing policy. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), major companies ...
Procter & Gamble think they can ignore deforestation - here's how we turn up the pressure; Greenpeace UK (blog); The companies you buy palm oil from are cutting down huge areas of rainforest - Greenpeace has photographic evidence from palm oil companies; http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/forests/procter-gamble-think-they-can-ignore-deforestation-heres-how-we-turn-pressure-20140318
Procter & Gamble bows to pressure on palm oil deforestation; The Guardian, 9 April 2014; http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/apr/09/procter-gamble-bows-to-pressure-on-palm-oil-deforestation; Procter & Gamble has bowed to pressure from environmentalists and revealed a new, extensive no-deforestation policy in the production of its products, including demanding fully traceable palm oil from suppliers. In the wake of severe criticism by a ...
and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/08/palm-oil-procter-gamble_n_5112715.html?utm_hp_ref=green
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Rubber news
Malaysian tyre makers hope opening of synthetic rubber plant will help them ...; The Star Online - May 1, 2014; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/05/02/Rapid-boost-for-tyre-makers-Manufacturers-hope-opening-of-synthetic-rubber-plant-will-help-them-mee/ ; However, with the opening of a new synthetic rubber plant at the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) corridor in Pengerang, Johor, they can expect to meet the demand in five years.
Thailand to Sell Large Stocks of Natural Rubber; Wall Street Journal - May 4, 2014; http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303948104579540792038533528?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303948104579540792038533528.html ; The world's largest natural-rubber producer, Thailand, said it would unload huge stocks of the product, a move that is likely to drive already depressed prices lower in the week ahead.
Falling Rubber Prices Add to Planters' Woes; By Express News Service - KOCHI
Published: 19th April 2014 12:56 PM; http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Falling-Rubber-Prices-Add-to-Planters-Woes/2014/04/19/article2177396.ece;
The sharp fall in natural rubber prices, and the frequent breaches of slaughter-tapping contracts involving big amounts have added to the sorry state of affairs in the plantation sector of Kerala, which is the largest producer of rubber in the country.
Rubber futures slump to five-year low, Published: 19 Apr 2014; http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/405591/rubber-futures-slump-to-five-year-low
The contract for delivery in September on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange lost 4% to settle at 206.4 yen a kilogramme ($2,016 a tonne), the cheapest since October 2009. Rubber for delivery in the same month on the Shanghai Futures Exchange dropped 4.1% at 14,200 yuan ($2,282) a tonne, the lowest close since April 2009. The benchmark contract in Tokyo fell for a fifth week as China’s economy moderated at the weakest pace in six quarters and new-home price increases eased across the country last month amid tighter credit. A global surplus this year will be 78% more than estimated in December, according to The Rubber Economist Ltd. The commodity used in tyres dropped into a bear market in January and is down 25% this year
Rubber Prices Plunge on Fears of Thai Selling Spree; Wall Street Journal - Apr 4, 2014; http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303847804579480712991006426?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303847804579480712991006426.html
Rubber prices are down as much as 6% this week as traders rush to sell on fears the market will become awash with surplus supply after the Thai government said it would start selling its massive stockpile.
As Vietnam grows rubber output, risk of price war grows; The Star Online ; April 9, 2014 http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/04/09/As-Vietnam-Stretches-Rubber-Output-Risk-Of-Price-War-Grows/; SINGAPORE/HANOI: After years of massive expansion, tearing up forests and swallowing land in neighboring countries to create rubber plantations, Vietnam is reaping what it sowed: a swelling of output that has made it the third-largest rubber producer.
Thailand to Sell Large Stocks of Natural Rubber; Wall Street Journal - May 4, 2014; http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303948104579540792038533528?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303948104579540792038533528.html ; The world's largest natural-rubber producer, Thailand, said it would unload huge stocks of the product, a move that is likely to drive already depressed prices lower in the week ahead.
Falling Rubber Prices Add to Planters' Woes; By Express News Service - KOCHI
Published: 19th April 2014 12:56 PM; http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Falling-Rubber-Prices-Add-to-Planters-Woes/2014/04/19/article2177396.ece;
The sharp fall in natural rubber prices, and the frequent breaches of slaughter-tapping contracts involving big amounts have added to the sorry state of affairs in the plantation sector of Kerala, which is the largest producer of rubber in the country.
Rubber futures slump to five-year low, Published: 19 Apr 2014; http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/405591/rubber-futures-slump-to-five-year-low
The contract for delivery in September on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange lost 4% to settle at 206.4 yen a kilogramme ($2,016 a tonne), the cheapest since October 2009. Rubber for delivery in the same month on the Shanghai Futures Exchange dropped 4.1% at 14,200 yuan ($2,282) a tonne, the lowest close since April 2009. The benchmark contract in Tokyo fell for a fifth week as China’s economy moderated at the weakest pace in six quarters and new-home price increases eased across the country last month amid tighter credit. A global surplus this year will be 78% more than estimated in December, according to The Rubber Economist Ltd. The commodity used in tyres dropped into a bear market in January and is down 25% this year
Rubber Prices Plunge on Fears of Thai Selling Spree; Wall Street Journal - Apr 4, 2014; http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303847804579480712991006426?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303847804579480712991006426.html
Rubber prices are down as much as 6% this week as traders rush to sell on fears the market will become awash with surplus supply after the Thai government said it would start selling its massive stockpile.
As Vietnam grows rubber output, risk of price war grows; The Star Online ; April 9, 2014 http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/04/09/As-Vietnam-Stretches-Rubber-Output-Risk-Of-Price-War-Grows/; SINGAPORE/HANOI: After years of massive expansion, tearing up forests and swallowing land in neighboring countries to create rubber plantations, Vietnam is reaping what it sowed: a swelling of output that has made it the third-largest rubber producer.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Penang development
Penang urges BNM to keep DIBS for first-time house buyers; The Malay Mail Online; April 13, 2014; http://www.themalaymailonline.com/money/article/penang-urges-bnm-to-keep-dibs-for-first-time-house-buyers; Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng urged Bank Negara to reinstate Developer Interest Bearing Scheme DIBS for the benefit of first-time buyers of affordable housing.
Penang folk to pay more to prevent water wastage, New Straits Times; 3 April 2014, http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/penang-folk-to-pay-more-to-prevent-water-wastage-1.546524; GEORGE TOWN: PENANG folk will soon have to dig deeper into their pockets to pay their water bills. According to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, this was because many Penangites were wasting water, which he believed could lead to scarcity, as seen in ...
Consumer groups urge Penang to scrap land reclamation project, The Malaysian Insider, April 02, 2014, http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/consumer-organisations-urge-penang-to-scrap-land-reclamation-project; Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) president SM Mohamed Idris speaks to media members during a press conference in George Town, Penang, today. - The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, April 2, 2014.Two groups have asked Penang to ...
Developers' focus shifts with Second Penang Bridge; The Star Online, Saturday March 29, 2014 ; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/29/Seberang-Prai-in-the-spotlight-Developers-focus-shifts-with-the-opening-of-the-second-Penang-bridge/;
DESPITE a softening property market on Penang island and Seberang Prai, Kuala Lumpur and Penang-based developers will be undertaking projects to the tune of RM4.56bil this year, a check with various developers show.
Penang Government Urged To Review STP1 Before Approving STP2; March 27 2014 (Bernama) http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1025558; A coalition of progressive public interest civil society groups is urging the Penang government to review the Sri Tanjung Pinang 1 (STP1) project in Tanjung Tokong which has posted adverse impact.
Penang Forum Steering Committee representative Leong Yueh Kwong said the sedimentation of Gurney Drive and the foul smell at low tide, are the most visible adverse impact of STP1. He said STP1 which involved about 97 hectare land reclamation was completed in 2006 and the environmental impact was evident to all Penangites. "Given that STP1 has been completed and the developer wishes to start work on STP2, it is timely for a review of STP1, to establish if there are lessons to be learnt for the larger and potentially more problematic STP2," he told reporters, here Thursday.
Penang folk to pay more to prevent water wastage, New Straits Times; 3 April 2014, http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/penang-folk-to-pay-more-to-prevent-water-wastage-1.546524; GEORGE TOWN: PENANG folk will soon have to dig deeper into their pockets to pay their water bills. According to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, this was because many Penangites were wasting water, which he believed could lead to scarcity, as seen in ...
Consumer groups urge Penang to scrap land reclamation project, The Malaysian Insider, April 02, 2014, http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/consumer-organisations-urge-penang-to-scrap-land-reclamation-project; Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) president SM Mohamed Idris speaks to media members during a press conference in George Town, Penang, today. - The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, April 2, 2014.Two groups have asked Penang to ...
Developers' focus shifts with Second Penang Bridge; The Star Online, Saturday March 29, 2014 ; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/29/Seberang-Prai-in-the-spotlight-Developers-focus-shifts-with-the-opening-of-the-second-Penang-bridge/;
DESPITE a softening property market on Penang island and Seberang Prai, Kuala Lumpur and Penang-based developers will be undertaking projects to the tune of RM4.56bil this year, a check with various developers show.
Penang Government Urged To Review STP1 Before Approving STP2; March 27 2014 (Bernama) http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1025558; A coalition of progressive public interest civil society groups is urging the Penang government to review the Sri Tanjung Pinang 1 (STP1) project in Tanjung Tokong which has posted adverse impact.
Penang Forum Steering Committee representative Leong Yueh Kwong said the sedimentation of Gurney Drive and the foul smell at low tide, are the most visible adverse impact of STP1. He said STP1 which involved about 97 hectare land reclamation was completed in 2006 and the environmental impact was evident to all Penangites. "Given that STP1 has been completed and the developer wishes to start work on STP2, it is timely for a review of STP1, to establish if there are lessons to be learnt for the larger and potentially more problematic STP2," he told reporters, here Thursday.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Market views and news (updated)
China Soybean, Rubber Importers Renege on Deals By Huileng Tan March 27, 2014, Wall Street Journal; http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304688104579464772427185240?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304688104579464772427185240.html;
Chinese importers of soybeans and rubber are backing out of deals, adding to a wide range of evidence showing rising financial stress in the world's second-biggest economy.
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Moody's sees crude palm oil prices to average US$700 to US$800 per tonne this ...; The Malaysian Insider - Mar 24, 2014; http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/moodys-sees-crude-palm-oil-prices-to-average-us700-to-us800-per-tonne-this; Crude palm oil prices are expected to hover around US$700 range thanks to food-based usage and demand for biodiesel. - The Malaysian Insider pic, March 24, 2014Moody's Investors Service expects crude palm oil (CPO) prices to average between ...
Mistry Bullish on Palm Oil as El Nino Threatens to Parch Trees; Businessweek By Ranjeetha Pakiam March 21, 2014 ; http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-03-21/mistry-bullish-on-palm-oil-as-el-nino-threatens-to-parch-trees; Palm oil may extend its advance in April to the highest level since 2012 after dry weather in ... The southwest monsoon in India is likely to be impacted....
CPO Exports Seen to Rise 10% to $22 Billion in 2014;Jakarta Globe By Investor Daily on 01:25 pm Mar 19, 2014; http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/cpo-exports-seen-rise-10-22-billion-2014/ ;
Jakarta. The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) predicts that 2014 exports of crude palm oil are set to reach $22 billion, up 10 percent from last ...
Palm Production in Indonesia Rising for First Time in 6 Months; Jakarta Globe By Yoga Rusmana on 09:17 am Mar 21, 2014; http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/palm-production-indonesia-rising-first-time-6-months/; The percentage change for exports is derived from the February figure from the Indonesian Palm Oil Association, known as Gapki. Comparisons for ...
Consumers Pinched as Palm Oil, Soybean Prices Rise; Wall Street Journal By Isabella Steger, Debi Nayak and Huileng Tan March 14, 2014 5:26 a.m. ET; http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914904579438610824940936?mg=reno64-wsj ; Palm oil in China is now more expensive than soy oil, the most commonly used cooking oil, which is an unusual development, said Jane Peng, ...
Agriculture Prices Hold Up Despite China Jitters; Wall Street Journal (blog); http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2014/03/19/auto-draft-17/; Fears over China's slowing growth so far in 2014 have hurt prices for ... Dry weather in Brazil and Southeast Asia has hurt supply of palm oil, as has ...
Crude palm oil may rise to RM3,177, says Oil World; The Star Online - Mar 4, 2014; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/05/Crude-palm-oil-may-rise-to-RM3177-says-Oil-World/; KUALA LUMPUR: Riding on the current rally in crude palm oil (CPO) prices, CPO could average at the RM3,177 level a tonne this year, 14% higher than 2013's average.
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Energy
US expands gas exports in bid to punish Putin for Crimea; theguardian.com, Tuesday 25 March 2014; http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/25/us-expands-gas-exports-in-bid-to-punish-putin-for-crimea; One of the most advanced U.S. LNG export projects, Cameron LNG--a project in which GDF SUEZ holds an ownership share--has received conditional non-Free Trade Agreement approval from the U.S. Department of Energy. Senate energy committee told exporting natural gas would end Russia’s 'energy blackmail'
Chinese importers of soybeans and rubber are backing out of deals, adding to a wide range of evidence showing rising financial stress in the world's second-biggest economy.
...............
Moody's sees crude palm oil prices to average US$700 to US$800 per tonne this ...; The Malaysian Insider - Mar 24, 2014; http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/moodys-sees-crude-palm-oil-prices-to-average-us700-to-us800-per-tonne-this; Crude palm oil prices are expected to hover around US$700 range thanks to food-based usage and demand for biodiesel. - The Malaysian Insider pic, March 24, 2014Moody's Investors Service expects crude palm oil (CPO) prices to average between ...
Mistry Bullish on Palm Oil as El Nino Threatens to Parch Trees; Businessweek By Ranjeetha Pakiam March 21, 2014 ; http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-03-21/mistry-bullish-on-palm-oil-as-el-nino-threatens-to-parch-trees; Palm oil may extend its advance in April to the highest level since 2012 after dry weather in ... The southwest monsoon in India is likely to be impacted....
CPO Exports Seen to Rise 10% to $22 Billion in 2014;Jakarta Globe By Investor Daily on 01:25 pm Mar 19, 2014; http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/cpo-exports-seen-rise-10-22-billion-2014/ ;
Jakarta. The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) predicts that 2014 exports of crude palm oil are set to reach $22 billion, up 10 percent from last ...
Palm Production in Indonesia Rising for First Time in 6 Months; Jakarta Globe By Yoga Rusmana on 09:17 am Mar 21, 2014; http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/palm-production-indonesia-rising-first-time-6-months/; The percentage change for exports is derived from the February figure from the Indonesian Palm Oil Association, known as Gapki. Comparisons for ...
Consumers Pinched as Palm Oil, Soybean Prices Rise; Wall Street Journal By Isabella Steger, Debi Nayak and Huileng Tan March 14, 2014 5:26 a.m. ET; http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914904579438610824940936?mg=reno64-wsj ; Palm oil in China is now more expensive than soy oil, the most commonly used cooking oil, which is an unusual development, said Jane Peng, ...
Agriculture Prices Hold Up Despite China Jitters; Wall Street Journal (blog); http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2014/03/19/auto-draft-17/; Fears over China's slowing growth so far in 2014 have hurt prices for ... Dry weather in Brazil and Southeast Asia has hurt supply of palm oil, as has ...
Crude palm oil may rise to RM3,177, says Oil World; The Star Online - Mar 4, 2014; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/05/Crude-palm-oil-may-rise-to-RM3177-says-Oil-World/; KUALA LUMPUR: Riding on the current rally in crude palm oil (CPO) prices, CPO could average at the RM3,177 level a tonne this year, 14% higher than 2013's average.
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Energy
US expands gas exports in bid to punish Putin for Crimea; theguardian.com, Tuesday 25 March 2014; http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/25/us-expands-gas-exports-in-bid-to-punish-putin-for-crimea; One of the most advanced U.S. LNG export projects, Cameron LNG--a project in which GDF SUEZ holds an ownership share--has received conditional non-Free Trade Agreement approval from the U.S. Department of Energy. Senate energy committee told exporting natural gas would end Russia’s 'energy blackmail'
On Malaysia politics & MH370 (update2)
'Deputy Defence Minister should resign' Free Malaysia Today - FMT Staff, March 28, 2014; http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/03/28/deputy-defence-minister-should-resign/; It is simply unacceptable for the Deputy Defence Minister to be so irresponsible in his statements, says Gelang Patah MP. lim kit siang PETALING JAYA: DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang today called for the resignation of Deputy Defence Minister Abdul Rahim ...
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Why Malaysia Will Say Almost Nothing About the Missing Plane. Malaysia's dearth of communication about Flight MH370 isn't surprising given its governing coalition's habitual disinterest toward the press and lack of transparency; http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c/1168803/60398984a45ac407/33
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Why Malaysia Will Say Almost Nothing About the Missing Plane. Malaysia's dearth of communication about Flight MH370 isn't surprising given its governing coalition's habitual disinterest toward the press and lack of transparency; http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c/1168803/60398984a45ac407/33
US lawmakers claim help resisted? http://www.bloomberg.com/news/
Malaysia’s Crisis Hurts Najib Heir-Apparent as Criticism Swells; By Sharon Chen and Manirajan Ramasamy Mar 26, 2014; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-25/malaysia-s-crisis-hurts-najib-heir-apparent-as-criticism-swells.html; ... Malaysia’s handling of the search for missing Flight 370 has turned the official groomed to become the country’s next prime minister into a lightning rod for criticism, hurting his chances to lead the nation. Hishammuddin Hussein, the defense and acting transport minister, has led almost all daily press conferences held since the Malaysian Air plane dropped off air-traffic controllers’ screens March 8. The relation of three prime ministers and the grandson of the ruling party’s founder has stoked ire among passengers' families and China's government with his self-contradictions and failure to provide definitive answers.... Razali Ibrahim, deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and an UMNO supreme council member, said “we are very pleased” with the way Hishammuddin is handling this crisis. Based on feedback from party members, “they strongly believe Hishammuddin is managing his task well, in a very professional way, despite under tough circumstances,” he said.
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31 March, background information - MAS share price chart (5 years), from Bloomberg.com
Malaysia’s Crisis Hurts Najib Heir-Apparent as Criticism Swells; By Sharon Chen and Manirajan Ramasamy Mar 26, 2014; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-25/malaysia-s-crisis-hurts-najib-heir-apparent-as-criticism-swells.html; ... Malaysia’s handling of the search for missing Flight 370 has turned the official groomed to become the country’s next prime minister into a lightning rod for criticism, hurting his chances to lead the nation. Hishammuddin Hussein, the defense and acting transport minister, has led almost all daily press conferences held since the Malaysian Air plane dropped off air-traffic controllers’ screens March 8. The relation of three prime ministers and the grandson of the ruling party’s founder has stoked ire among passengers' families and China's government with his self-contradictions and failure to provide definitive answers.... Razali Ibrahim, deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and an UMNO supreme council member, said “we are very pleased” with the way Hishammuddin is handling this crisis. Based on feedback from party members, “they strongly believe Hishammuddin is managing his task well, in a very professional way, despite under tough circumstances,” he said.
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31 March, background information - MAS share price chart (5 years), from Bloomberg.com
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Contesting regulations
Indonesia's proposed peat law too weak to protect peatlands, stop haze, says Greenpeace; Mongabay.com; http://news.mongabay.com/2014/0314-peat-regulation-greenpeace.html
It also doesn't protect peat in existing concessions or mandate better water management in areas already converted for oil palm and timber plantations ...
It also doesn't protect peat in existing concessions or mandate better water management in areas already converted for oil palm and timber plantations ...
Sugar news and views
MSM seeks M&As globally with aim to be among top three in sugar industry; The Star Online 26 March 2014; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/26/MSM-seeks-MAs-globally-It-aims-to-be-among-top-three-world-players-in-sugar-industry/
Sugar producer MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd (MSM) is actively seeking out merger and acquisition opportunities around the globe in line with its expansion plans, according to newly-appointed president and group chief executive officer ...
Growing El Nino threat rattles sugar market nerves; Agrimoney.com; 26 March 2014; http://www.agrimoney.com/news/growing-el-nino-threat-rattles-sugar-market-nerves--6913.html
Australia upgraded the likelihood of an El Nino setting in this year as the sugar investors in particular raised concerns over the weather pattern, for the threat it poses to production in Asia and Brazil.
Government's pre-poll sugar sop questioned at WTO; Times of India; 26 March 2014; http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Governments-pre-poll-sugar-sop-questioned-at-WTO/articleshow/32700176.cms
NEW DELHI: The government's pre-election bonanza for the sugar industry has been questioned at the World Trade Organization (WTO), making it the second farm subsidy to face global scrutiny in recent months.
Sugar producer MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd (MSM) is actively seeking out merger and acquisition opportunities around the globe in line with its expansion plans, according to newly-appointed president and group chief executive officer ...
Growing El Nino threat rattles sugar market nerves; Agrimoney.com; 26 March 2014; http://www.agrimoney.com/news/growing-el-nino-threat-rattles-sugar-market-nerves--6913.html
Australia upgraded the likelihood of an El Nino setting in this year as the sugar investors in particular raised concerns over the weather pattern, for the threat it poses to production in Asia and Brazil.
Government's pre-poll sugar sop questioned at WTO; Times of India; 26 March 2014; http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Governments-pre-poll-sugar-sop-questioned-at-WTO/articleshow/32700176.cms
NEW DELHI: The government's pre-election bonanza for the sugar industry has been questioned at the World Trade Organization (WTO), making it the second farm subsidy to face global scrutiny in recent months.
Reality of zoos
Danish zoo that culled giraffe kills family of lions; 25 March 2014 Last updated at 17:49; http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26734377 ; ..zoo said the animal did not fit in with the park's breeding programme but the move shocked animal lovers across the world. Despite the outcry over the death, the zoo said it did not believe it was necessary to change its procedures.
Key Asia voices for sustainability
Sustainability in the Malaysian palm oil industry – M.R. Chandran; The Malaysian Insider - Mar 4, 2014; http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/sustainability-in-the-malaysian-palm-oil-industry-m.r.-chandran; Without question, the issue of sustainability in palm oil production is the greatest challenge of the coming decades. More than two billion people will be joining the human race by 2050, at which time 70% to 80% of the population will be living in ...
Plantation sector - company news updates
Bumitama issues RM500mil sukuk, The Star Online, 21 March 2014; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/21/Bumitama-issues-sukuk/;
Bumitama Agri Ltd has successfully priced and issued its inaugural RM500mil five-year sukuk issuance under its maiden sukuk ...
CBIP secures RM46m oil mill project in PNG; The Star Online Updated: Monday March 17, 2014 MYT 6:34:54 PM ; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/17/CBIP-secures-RM46m-oil-mill-project-in-PNG/; KUALA LUMPUR: CB Industrial Product Holding Bhd has secured a RM46.01mil contract to build a palm oil mill in Papua New Guinea. It said on ...It said on Monday its unit Modipalm Engineering Sdn. Bhd has received the cotract from from Gilford Ltd, a subsidiary of Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Group.
CIMB Research sees potential earnings boost from FGV M&A plans; The Star Online Published: Wednesday March 19, 2014 MYT 8:45:00 AM; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Investing/2014/03/19/CIMB-Research-sees-potential-earnings-boost-from-FGV-plans/ ; KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Equities Research continues to advise investors to hang on to their Felda Global Ventures (FGV) shares and ride on the ...
EPF takes contrarian route cutting stakes in plantations in bullish times; The Star Online 17 March 2014; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/17/EPF-takes-different-route-It-cuts-stakes-in-plantation-players-in-bullish-times/ ; The fund was also a seller in another big planter, Kuala Lumpur-Kepong Bhd, as it reduced its shares in the Ipoh-based company from 15.8% to ...
Bumitama Agri Ltd has successfully priced and issued its inaugural RM500mil five-year sukuk issuance under its maiden sukuk ...
CBIP secures RM46m oil mill project in PNG; The Star Online Updated: Monday March 17, 2014 MYT 6:34:54 PM ; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/17/CBIP-secures-RM46m-oil-mill-project-in-PNG/; KUALA LUMPUR: CB Industrial Product Holding Bhd has secured a RM46.01mil contract to build a palm oil mill in Papua New Guinea. It said on ...It said on Monday its unit Modipalm Engineering Sdn. Bhd has received the cotract from from Gilford Ltd, a subsidiary of Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Group.
CIMB Research sees potential earnings boost from FGV M&A plans; The Star Online Published: Wednesday March 19, 2014 MYT 8:45:00 AM; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Investing/2014/03/19/CIMB-Research-sees-potential-earnings-boost-from-FGV-plans/ ; KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Equities Research continues to advise investors to hang on to their Felda Global Ventures (FGV) shares and ride on the ...
EPF takes contrarian route cutting stakes in plantations in bullish times; The Star Online 17 March 2014; http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/17/EPF-takes-different-route-It-cuts-stakes-in-plantation-players-in-bullish-times/ ; The fund was also a seller in another big planter, Kuala Lumpur-Kepong Bhd, as it reduced its shares in the Ipoh-based company from 15.8% to ...
Monday, March 24, 2014
Commodity markets and prices links
USDA: http://www.fas.usda.gov/
World Bank: http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTDECPROSPECTS/0,,contentMDK:21574907~menuPK:7859231~pagePK:64165401~piPK:64165026~theSitePK:476883,00.html
IndexMundi: http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=agricultural-raw-materials-price-index&months=360
Rubber consultant: http://www.therubbereconomist.com/The_Rubber_Economist/Home.html
Forests: http://www.cifor.org/
World Bank: http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTDECPROSPECTS/0,,contentMDK:21574907~menuPK:7859231~pagePK:64165401~piPK:64165026~theSitePK:476883,00.html
IndexMundi: http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=agricultural-raw-materials-price-index&months=360
Rubber consultant: http://www.therubbereconomist.com/The_Rubber_Economist/Home.html
Forests: http://www.cifor.org/
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Big energy's climate strategy & clean power
High Cost of Climate Earns Exxon Rare Environmental Win By Tom Randall Mar 22, 2014; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-21/exxon-wins-by-having-the-highest-cost-of-climate.html; For years, Exxon Mobil has walked around with an environmentalist target
on its chest. So it was news when the world’s biggest oil company by
market value agreed yesterday to share its plans for dealing with
climate change. A look at what we already know about Exxon’s climate
strategy shows why disclosure may be a savvy move.... The longer the global community waits to address climate change, the more invasive future climate policies may need to be. The risk is that oil and coal companies worth more than $7 trillion may be sinking billions of dollars into projects that will never make sense to finish... Exxon is the first U.S. oil-and-gas major to commit to reporting on its risk of stranded assets due to climate change, a step that may pressure competitors to do the same. About ten energy companies are awaiting votes on shareholder resolutions similar to the one that triggered Exxon's agreement to report its climate data.... Exxon has the world’s second-largest stockpile of carbon embedded in oil and gas, after Russia’s Gazprom. According to Bloomberg’s Carbon Risk Valuation Tool, Exxon’s share price could be worth 45 percent less in a carbon-stranding scenario where prices decline 5 percent a year from 2020.
Global Energy Thirst Threatens Water Supplies, UN Says By Tara Patel Mar 22, 2014; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-21/global-energy-thirst-threatens-to-worsen-water-woes-un.html; ...Energy production will increasingly strain water resources in the coming decades even as more than 1 billion of the planet’s 7 billion people already lack access to both, according to a United Nations report... “There is an increasing potential for serious conflict between power generation, other water users and environmental considerations,” said the UN World Water Development Report published today that focused on water and energy. Ninety percent of power generation is “water-intensive,” it said. (link to UN report: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/water/wwap/wwdr/)
How much progress have corporations made on their 100% clean power goals? theguardian.com, Tuesday 25 March 2014; http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/gallery/sap-renewable-clean-energy-goal-intel-microsoft-kohls-walmart; Software giant SAP on Monday said it plans buy enough renewable-energy credits to figuratively power 100% of its worldwide operations with clean energy. The company joins a growing number of businesses gunning for 100% green energy. Which corporations have made the most progress so far?
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Unhealthy food and wrong messages?
Could eating too much margarine be bad for your critical faculties? The "experts" who so confidently advised us to replace saturated fats, such as butter, with polyunsaturated spreads, people who presumably practise what they preach, have suddenly come over all uncertain and seem to be struggling through a mental fog to reformulate their script.... Last week it fell to a floundering professor, Jeremy Pearson, from the British Heart Foundation to explain why it still adheres to the nutrition establishment's anti-saturated fat doctrine when evidence is stacking up to refute it. After examining 72 academic studies involving more than 600,000 participants, the study, funded by the foundation, found that saturated fat consumption was not associated with coronary disease risk. This assessment echoed a review in 2010 that concluded "there is no convincing evidence that saturated fat causes heart disease". The Observer, Sunday 23 March 2014; http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/23/everything-you-know-about-unhealthy-foods-is-wrong
SE Asian peatsmog haze
Indonesia's forest fires feed 'brown cloud' of pollution choking Asia's cities; An acrid blanket of haze is hanging over the cities of south-east Asia, where 700,000 people a year die prematurely from the effects of air pollution. Industry and climate change are being blamed, but governments are slow to act; The Observer, Saturday 22 March 2014 http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/23/indonesia-forest-fires-pollution-asia
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Oil price worries
China Slowdown Seen Worst for Norway as Oil Key to Growth By Saleha Mohsin Mar 21, 2014 8:45 AM; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-21/china-slowdown-seen-worst-for-norway-as-oil-key-to-growth-1-.html; "...Bjoernland’s research shows that 40 percent of the increase in oil prices over the last 15 years is due to growth in emerging markets, especially Asia. A depreciation in the Norwegian krone spurred by a slowdown in China could provide some relief although it would be a “temporary fix,” she said.... “The main spill-overs from the oil sector to the mainland economy the last few years haven’t come through discoveries or productivity gains in oil and gas, but through higher oil prices,” she said. “That has made some of the economy less competitive.”... A rise in oil prices and oil activity together explain 35 percent of the growth in Norway’s mainland economy, according to a study by Bjoernland and Leif Anders Thorsrud, a Ph.D. student at the Norwegian Business School.... Brent crude, the North Sea benchmark, has slid about 12 percent to $106 a barrel from a high in 2011... “There are substantial spill-overs from oil price fluctuation to how the government spends their resources,” Bjoernland said. “They are also vulnerable to oil price falls.”
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Agriculture in Africa
Mind the gap: closing gender divide in African agriculture could reduce hunger; Investing in women farmers and improving childcare could bolster food security across the continent, World Bank finds
theguardian.com, Wednesday 19 March 2014; http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/mar/19/women-closing-gender-divide-african-farming-reduce-hunger
theguardian.com, Wednesday 19 March 2014; http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/mar/19/women-closing-gender-divide-african-farming-reduce-hunger
Food mislabelling
Half of meat product samples contained DNA of wrong animals, council finds; Leicester survey backs up results from other areas, reinforcing fears of widespread meat contamination and mislabeling; The Guardian, Tuesday 18 March 2014; http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/18/half-meat-products-contained-dna-wrong-animals-council-survey
Omega 3 hokum?
Foods Rich in Omega-3 May Not Protect Heart, Study Finds By Nicole Ostrow Mar 18, 2014;
Eating food high in fish oils such as omega-3 doesn’t reduce the risk of heart disease, raising questions about national guidelines promoting the fats as beneficial for cardiovascular health, researchers found. ... The analysis of 72 previous studies showed insufficient support for nutritional recommendations by groups such as the American Heart Association that advocate high consumption of polyunsaturated fats like omega-3 and omega-6, which is found in corn and sunflower oils, as well as some nuts and seeds....; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-17/foods-rich-in-omega-3-may-not-protect-heart-study-finds.html
Eating food high in fish oils such as omega-3 doesn’t reduce the risk of heart disease, raising questions about national guidelines promoting the fats as beneficial for cardiovascular health, researchers found. ... The analysis of 72 previous studies showed insufficient support for nutritional recommendations by groups such as the American Heart Association that advocate high consumption of polyunsaturated fats like omega-3 and omega-6, which is found in corn and sunflower oils, as well as some nuts and seeds....; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-17/foods-rich-in-omega-3-may-not-protect-heart-study-finds.html
Lobster galore
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304017604579447152568114232?mod=djem10point ; As rising commodity costs boost the price of food staples such as beef and coffee, we find that an increase in supply is having the opposite effect on lobster. The crustacean is everywhere. Our story provides an overview of the lobster industry in the U.S., noting that the once-occasional treat has been showing up on an increasing number of menus from inexpensive chains to fine-dining restaurants—not to mention, debuting in quite novel ways. Sarah Nassauer reports that she has discovered lobster in a pappardelle, chorizo and mussels dish, in a salad with winter squash, as a base for sauce on a flounder, and incorporated into an airy chip served with lime aioli. And we have a handy graphic showing the anatomy of the lobster from a cooking point of view. http://online.wsj.com/news/interactive/LOBSTER0319?ref=SB10001424052702304017604579447152568114232&mod=djem10point
Commodity trading rationalisation
19 March 2014: J.P. Morgan has agreed to sell its commodities-trading business to Switzerland-based energy-trading company Mercuria Energy, according to a person familiar with the situation. The terms of the deal aren't yet clear, but when the bank first opened its books to potential buyers in October it valued the assets at $3.3 billion. The deal, which is expected to be completed in the summer, is the largest ever by Mercuria, a closely held company founded in 2004 by Swiss traders Marco Dunand and Daniel Jaeggi that is relatively unknown outside the physical commodities trading industry. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303802104579448533840087064?mod=djemalertMARKET
Is This the End for Blythe Masters?
Now that JPMorgan's physical commodities unit has been sold, what will become of its leader, the woman who oh by the way created credit default swaps?
http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2014-03-19/is-this-the-end-for-jpmorgans-blythe-masters?campaign_id=DN032014; Mercuria, based in Geneva, was founded in 2004 by two former roommates and Goldman Sachsalumni and grew to become the world’s fourth-largest commodity trader, taking in $100 billion in revenue in 2013. (More details are likely to be found in my friend Kate Kelly’s forthcoming book, The Secret Club That Runs The World: Inside the Fraternity of Commodity Traders).
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Price worries
Wsj.com. The Price Is Tight; "I can't believe how much milk is. Chicken is crazy right now, and beef—I paid $5 a pound for beef!" noted a married mother of three in Waukesha, Wis. Our story looks at the surging prices of food staples that are driving up the cost of groceries in the U.S. and pinching Americans still grappling with a sluggish economic recovery. The price increases pose a challenge for food makers, restaurants and retailers, which are left in the difficult position of deciding how much of the costs they can pass onto the consumer. We note that price increases are also taking a toll on consumers in some emerging markets, and we consider the implications by reflecting on history. In 2008, for example, a spike in food prices caused riots from Haiti to sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and more recently, increasing food prices were a factor behind the Arab Spring protests. http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303287804579445311778530606?mod=djem10point&mobile=y
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Olam takeover by Temasek
Temasek Unit’s Offer for Olam Is Credit Negative, Moody’s Says; By Lisa Pham and Colin Keatinge Mar 17, 2014; http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-17/temasek-unit-s-offer-for-olam-is-credit-negative-moody-s-says.html; The offer by Temasek Holdings Pte’s unit to take over Olam International Ltd. (OLAM) is credit negative for the Singapore state-owned investment company, according to Moody’s Investors Service. The acquisition, which values one of the world’s top three coffee and rice traders at S$5.3 billion ($4.2 billion), will put pressure on Temasek’s “portfolio liquidity,” Moody’s, which rates the investment firm at Aaa, said in a March 17 report. Olam’s 2 percent dividend yield in 2013 is also lower than Temasek’s return of about 3 percent, it said. “Bringing a new company under the Singapore umbrella negatively pressures portfolio liquidity,” Alan Greene, a senior credit officer at Moody’s, said in the report, which estimates 65 percent of Temasek’s S$215 billion investments are in Singapore dollars.
Singapore Business Times on 18 March 2014 reported that "market talk revealed that there have been at least three separate parties interested in acquiring Olam during the same period, potentially pushing up its share price as well..... Sime Darby, one of the largest palm oil producers in the world, is said to be one of them. Two Japanese trading companies are also said to be interested in Olam due to its exposure to African markets...." newslink: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/companies/others/moodys-olam-bid-temasek-credit-negative-20140318
Singapore Business Times on 18 March 2014 reported that "market talk revealed that there have been at least three separate parties interested in acquiring Olam during the same period, potentially pushing up its share price as well..... Sime Darby, one of the largest palm oil producers in the world, is said to be one of them. Two Japanese trading companies are also said to be interested in Olam due to its exposure to African markets...." newslink: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/companies/others/moodys-olam-bid-temasek-credit-negative-20140318
Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore-Johor integration
Big plantations
EPO Retracts Arson Claims, Echo Cooperate Responsibilities; AllAfrica.com; Liberia: EPO Retracts Arson Claims, Echo Cooperate Responsibilities. By Alpha ... Following reports of fire outbreaks on the Equatorial Palm Oil (EPO) ...
Sarawak plans to sell CPO in Middle East; The Star Online; Our main buyers now are China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh,” he told StarBiz. Masing said he had discussed with the Sarawak Oil Palm Planter ...
Felda Global explores asset injection to unlock value of logistics arm; The Star Online; KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's largest plantation company, Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV), is exploring options to unlock the value of its ...
The Malay Mail Online; FGV Plans To Expand Into Rubber Business In Cambodia Soon; Bernama; YANGON, March 9 (Bernama) -- After successfully venturing into Myanmar, Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) plans to expand its footprint in ...
FGVB Delivers First 48 MT PME To Kuantan Fuel Terminal; Bernama; KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- Felda Global Ventures Biotechnologies Sdn Bhd (FGVB) has delivered its first 48 metric tonnes (MT) of palm ...
eco-business.com; Palm oil row erupts in Sumatra, leaving one dead; eco-business.com; This puts Singapore-listed Wilmar in a bad light, since the firm has only just implemented its 'no deforestation, no peat, no exploitation' policy last ...
The Hindu; How oil palm could kill orangutans; The Hindu; In December last year, agribusiness heavyweight, Wilmar, also agreed to an equivalent policy. Adani Wilmar, a joint venture of the Adani Group with ...
The Hindu; How oil palm could kill orangutans; The Hindu; In December last year, agribusiness heavyweight, Wilmar, also agreed to an equivalent policy. Adani Wilmar, a joint venture of the Adani Group with ...
Market views
Wall Street Journal (blog); Palm Oil, Rubber on Different Paths; The outlook for palm oil demand this year is positive. Indonesia, the world's largest producer, is poised to knock off India as the world's top consumer of ...
CPO prices jumps to 17-month high on prolonged dry spell; The Star Online
... Corp up one sen to RM4.79, Felda Global up one sen to RM4.63 but PPB Group was down 10 sen to RM16.56 and KL Kepong four sen to RM23.86.
On palm oil certification & ngo campaigns
Progressive palm oil group opens door to companies, NGO's adopting zero deforestation policies; Mongabay.com; The Palm Oil Innovation Group (POIG), an alliance formed last year, has ... Palm Oil — and four non-profits: WWF, Rainforest Action Network (RAN), ...
San Francisco Chronicle; Greenpeace Targets P&G Over Its Role in Ongoing Palm Oil Controversy; brandchannel.com; Palm oil, common in detergents, shampoos, cosmetics and a myriad of ... India and China, together consuming one-third of global palm oil imports, are ...
Free Malaysia Today; Oil palm refiner Wilmar caves in to political pressure
Free Malaysia Today; The biggest importers of Malaysian palm oil are China, India, Pakistan, the ... Last month Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (Soppoa) ...
FoodNavigator.com; Mars commits to palm oil deforestation policy; FoodNavigator.com; The company also announced that it had joined The Forest Trust (TFT) to help in its aim to prevent deforestation. Since 2010, the company has bought ...
GreenBiz.com (blog); How Golden Agri could help make half of all palm oil sustainable; GreenBiz.com (blog); Late in February Golden Agri Resources (GAR) which produces an estimated five per cent of the world's palm oil, made a significant announcement in ...
Standard for sustainability; The Star Online; According to MPOB Deputy Director-General (Research & Development) Dr Ahmad Kushairi Din, the MSPO will be transparent for the benefits of ...
Greenpeace - global force with deep pockets; Cincinnati.com; By using zip lines to hang banners protesting the use of palm oil on the sides of P&G's iconic twin towers Downtown, Greenpeace International ...
Photos: Greenpeace stages protest in rainforest destroyed for palm oil; Mongabay.com; On Monday, Greenpeace activists in Indonesia staged a dramatic protest in an area of rainforest freshly cleared for a new oil palm plantation in Central ...
Got Science? Momentum Building for Deforestation-Free Palm Oil; Huffington Post; Two of the world's largest palm oil suppliers -- Wilmar and Golden ... regions such as Malaysia, Indonesia, as well as parts of Africa and Latin America. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4943164
Saturday, March 15, 2014
China environmental issues
China Wakes Up to Its Environmental Catastrophe. Cleaning up the environment is an urgent task for China's leaders, who face a backlash from enraged citizens; http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c/1168803/60398984a45ac407/46
Europe air pollution. Economist.com. Charlemagne. Paris in the smog. As a cloud of pollution descends, the government bans cars with even-numbered plates from entering the capital
Traveling to Beijing? Have You Considered Smog Insurance? China's leading travel company, Ctrip, teams up with a top insurer to offer "haze insurance," which pays out if the air quality is particularly horrible. http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c/1170105/60398984a45ac407/7
Air Pollution May Cause Genetic Harm in Kids, China Study Finds; By Bloomberg News Mar 20, 2014; Air pollution led to genetic changes that may have sapped learning skills in children whose mothers were exposed to a Chinese coal-fired power plant before it was shuttered a decade ago, researchers found.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-19/air-pollution-may-cause-genetic-harm-in-kids-china-study-finds.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-19/air-pollution-may-cause-genetic-harm-in-kids-china-study-finds.html
China working on uranium-free nuclear plants in attempt to combat smog; Beijing brings forward deadline for world's first thorium-fuelled facility in attempt to break reliance on fossil fuels; theguardian.com, Wednesday 19 March 2014; http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/19/china-uranium-nuclear-plants-smog-thorium
On smallholder sustainable agriculture
Mars's Shayna Harris, a Sloan School of Management grad, is helping global farmers make cocoa a more sustainable-and profitable-crop; http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c/1168803/60398984a45ac407/42
Aregbesola Empowers 200 Women With N5.2 Million Through Qiip Programme; AllAfrica.com; Nigeria: Aregbesola Empowers 200 Women With N5.2 Million Through Qiip ... He said this is a pilot programme for women in palm-oil processing ...
Friday, March 14, 2014
Nasa-funded study: industrial civilisation headed for 'irreversible collapse'?
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/mar/14/nasa-civilisation-irreversible-collapse-study-scientists; "... according to the historical record even advanced, complex civilisations are susceptible to collapse, raising questions about the sustainability of modern civilisation: "The fall of the Roman Empire, and the equally (if not more) advanced Han, Mauryan, and Gupta Empires, as well as so many advanced Mesopotamian Empires, are all testimony to the fact that advanced, sophisticated, complex, and creative civilizations can be both fragile and impermanent."
By investigating the human-nature dynamics of these past cases of collapse, the project identifies the most salient interrelated factors which explain civilisational decline, and which may help determine the risk of collapse today: namely, Population, Climate, Water, Agriculture, and Energy.
These factors can lead to collapse when they converge to generate two crucial social features: "the stretching of resources due to the strain placed on the ecological carrying capacity"; and "the economic stratification of society into Elites [rich] and Masses (or "Commoners") [poor]" These social phenomena have played "a central role in the character or in the process of the collapse," in all such cases over "the last five thousand years."...
By investigating the human-nature dynamics of these past cases of collapse, the project identifies the most salient interrelated factors which explain civilisational decline, and which may help determine the risk of collapse today: namely, Population, Climate, Water, Agriculture, and Energy.
These factors can lead to collapse when they converge to generate two crucial social features: "the stretching of resources due to the strain placed on the ecological carrying capacity"; and "the economic stratification of society into Elites [rich] and Masses (or "Commoners") [poor]" These social phenomena have played "a central role in the character or in the process of the collapse," in all such cases over "the last five thousand years."...
Monbiot: Biodiesl incentives created "ecological disasters" and the same for biogas?
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2014/mar/14/uk-ban-maize-biogas
"It was also a brilliant idea to turn waste chip fat into biodiesel. But the incentives to produce biodiesel, often justified by the claim that they would make use of waste, have created multiple ecological disasters. They have encouraged farmers to feed cars rather than people and financed the conversion of rainforests in Indonesia, Malaysia and West Africa into oil palm plantations, driving orangutans and many other species to the brink of extinction. In most cases, biodiesel, as a result of the changes in land use, has much higher greenhouse gas emissions than the fossil fuel it replaces.....
Biogas is now going the same way. Provide the money to do the right thing and if you're not careful it will be used to do the wrong thing....Economic modelling commissioned by the government tested eight different mixes with which farmers could feed an anaerobic digester, to try to work out which were profitable. All of them included grass, wheat, maize or potatoes, and in some cases the models specified a higher tonnage of these specially grown crops than the waste the digesters are supposed to process. As maize has both a high yield per hectare and a high yield of biogas per tonne, it has become what the farming press calls the biogas "core crop". There could scarcely be a better formula for subverting everything biogas is supposed to achieve....The first and most obvious problem is that it means taking land out of food production. According to Farmers' Guardian, a biogas plant with a capacity of one megawatt, "requires 20,000-25,000 tonnes [of maize] a year, accounting for 450-500 hectares of land"....It reports that the area of maize being grown for biogas in the UK has trebled to 15,000 hectares in the past two years alone, and is likely to rise to 25,000 hectares next year. This is an astonishing rate of growth. If, as the National Farmers Union (NFU) advocates, 1,000 medium-sized biogas plants are built by 2020, and maize supplements the slurry and manure they process, that will mean the use of between 100,000 and 125,000 hectares...."
"It was also a brilliant idea to turn waste chip fat into biodiesel. But the incentives to produce biodiesel, often justified by the claim that they would make use of waste, have created multiple ecological disasters. They have encouraged farmers to feed cars rather than people and financed the conversion of rainforests in Indonesia, Malaysia and West Africa into oil palm plantations, driving orangutans and many other species to the brink of extinction. In most cases, biodiesel, as a result of the changes in land use, has much higher greenhouse gas emissions than the fossil fuel it replaces.....
Biogas is now going the same way. Provide the money to do the right thing and if you're not careful it will be used to do the wrong thing....Economic modelling commissioned by the government tested eight different mixes with which farmers could feed an anaerobic digester, to try to work out which were profitable. All of them included grass, wheat, maize or potatoes, and in some cases the models specified a higher tonnage of these specially grown crops than the waste the digesters are supposed to process. As maize has both a high yield per hectare and a high yield of biogas per tonne, it has become what the farming press calls the biogas "core crop". There could scarcely be a better formula for subverting everything biogas is supposed to achieve....The first and most obvious problem is that it means taking land out of food production. According to Farmers' Guardian, a biogas plant with a capacity of one megawatt, "requires 20,000-25,000 tonnes [of maize] a year, accounting for 450-500 hectares of land"....It reports that the area of maize being grown for biogas in the UK has trebled to 15,000 hectares in the past two years alone, and is likely to rise to 25,000 hectares next year. This is an astonishing rate of growth. If, as the National Farmers Union (NFU) advocates, 1,000 medium-sized biogas plants are built by 2020, and maize supplements the slurry and manure they process, that will mean the use of between 100,000 and 125,000 hectares...."
U.S. Court Declares Ecuador Judgment Against Chevron Corporation Fraudulent, Unenforceable
http://www.chevron.com/chevron/pressreleases/article/03042014_uscourtdeclaresecuadorjudgmentagainstchevroncorporationfraudulentunenforceable.news
March 4, 2014 – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York today ruled that the $9.5 billion judgment against Chevron Corporation in Ecuador was the product of fraud and racketeering activity, finding it unenforceable... The nearly 500-page ruling finds that Steven Donziger, the lead American lawyer behind the Ecuadorian lawsuit against the company, violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), committing extortion, money laundering, wire fraud, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations, witness tampering and obstruction of justice in obtaining the Ecuadorian judgment and in trying to cover up his and his associates' crimes..."Today's decision is unequivocal: The Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron is a fraud and is the result of criminal acts by a handful of corrupt lawyers looking to enrich themselves," said Hewitt Pate, Chevron vice president and general counsel. "Chevron's reputation was taken hostage and held for a multibillion-dollar ransom. Rather than give in and pay these criminals off, Chevron exposed the truth. Chevron is pleased with today's judgment. We are confident that any court that respects the rule of law will likewise find the Ecuadorian judgment to be illegitimate and unenforceable."....
March 4, 2014 – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York today ruled that the $9.5 billion judgment against Chevron Corporation in Ecuador was the product of fraud and racketeering activity, finding it unenforceable... The nearly 500-page ruling finds that Steven Donziger, the lead American lawyer behind the Ecuadorian lawsuit against the company, violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), committing extortion, money laundering, wire fraud, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations, witness tampering and obstruction of justice in obtaining the Ecuadorian judgment and in trying to cover up his and his associates' crimes..."Today's decision is unequivocal: The Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron is a fraud and is the result of criminal acts by a handful of corrupt lawyers looking to enrich themselves," said Hewitt Pate, Chevron vice president and general counsel. "Chevron's reputation was taken hostage and held for a multibillion-dollar ransom. Rather than give in and pay these criminals off, Chevron exposed the truth. Chevron is pleased with today's judgment. We are confident that any court that respects the rule of law will likewise find the Ecuadorian judgment to be illegitimate and unenforceable."....
Panasonic to pay expat workers in China pollution compensation
An interesting precedent on extra premium for expats working in China due to air pollution problem; "Japanese electronics company describes payments as 'premium for expatriates to compensate for different living environment..." http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/mar/13/panasonic-pay-pollution-expatriate-workers-china
US-EU TTIP deal and environmental standards
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/14/free-trade-deal-eu-us-environment-ngos-sustainability; "Both the EU and US are adamant TTIP will not affect both regions’ environmental protection standards. But green groups, forewarned by past experiences of free trade agreements, are incredulous.... Any attempt to fully align the two regions would precipitate a disaster for environmental standards, particularly in the EU where the bar tends to be higher. But the aim of the negotiations is not ‘harmonisation’, as some green groups have suggested. Rather the language is of ‘mutual recognition’ or ‘equivalence’. This decreases the danger of standards being directly eroded.... This debate is essentially pragmatic. It’s not really about deregulation and liberalism but about diverging priorities. Corporations are in favour of regulations that are in favour of corporations. Hence their support of the creation of additional legal frameworks that will allow them to enhance their economic interests through ISDSs. Environment groups want to use state frameworks to protect the environment...."
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