Berita Arkib

10/08/04, CHICAGO (Dow Jones)--The size of the new U.S. soybean crop isexpected to be raised Thursday in the U.S. Department of Agriculture'smonthly supply and demand report to 2.965 billion bushels with a yield of40.2 bushels per acre, up from 2.940 billion and 39.9 bushels,respectively, in the previous report, according to a survey of industryanalysts.The USDA's August supply and demand report is scheduled for release at0730 CT (1230 GMT) on Thursday.In the survey, estimates on soybean production ranged from 2.881billion to 3.042 billion bushels, and estimates on yield ranged from 39.2to 41.3 bushels.Industry analysts agreed that new-crop production will be the keyfeature in this report, as it will reflect the first government survey ofthe crop. Unlike last year, the crop thus far has experienced cool anddamp weather as opposed to hot and dry conditions, which stunted thegrowth of the 2003-04 crop.Because of the non-threatening conditions seen so far in the growingseason, industry analysts are anticipating the figure to approach the 3billion-bushel mark."Last year, the crop looked good, smelled good, tasted good, and endedup being no good. It's not delayed like it was last year," said StewartRamsey, senior economist at Global Insight at Eddystone, Pa.Last year's crop was measured at a paltry 2.418 billion bushels.

8/7/04, Oilmandi - Even as crude varieties of palm group of oils arelevied with a 65% customs duty, many importers allege that they end uppaying 75% duty on it, which is being charged on the refined varieties.

6/8/04, Oilworld - The return of monsoon rains in India has improvedoilseed crop prospects but the damage from drought in July cannot be madeup. The country can expect only a mediocre oilseed crop in 2004,significantly below last year’s record. The result will be a notable risein import requirements next season.

Friday August 6, 10:03 AM , KUALA LUMPUR (Dow Jones)--Kumpulan Fima Bhd.(6491.KU) plans to sell its entire stake, comprising 26.5 million shares,in oil palm cultivator Ladang Perbadanan-Fima Bhd. (5851.KU), to GlamourGreen Sdn. Bhd. for 100.7 million ringgit ($1=MYR3.80) cash. The estimatednet gain from the sale is MYR62.6 million after the deduction of thecompany's investment costs in Ladang. Kumpulan Fima provides storage andfreight services for edible and non-edible oils.

KARACHI, Aug 6 Asia Pulse - Pakistani vegetable oil imports were likely torise in coming weeks on fears of a further hike in world palm oil prices,but local rates remained stable on sufficient stocks, dealers said.

8/6/2004, European Patents - Abstract Unique structured lipids obtainedfrom interesterifying coconut oil with free fatty acids obtained fromhydrolysis of triglycerides of vegetable source, said structured lipidsrich in omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and medium chain fatty acidsand a process for the production of said structural lipids.

Monday August 9, 2004 - In the past seven months since he was appointedthe group chief executive of Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd, Datuk Wahab Maskan, hasbeen working behind the scenes to raise the group's profile. In his firstmedia interview since his appointment, Wahab speaks to StarBiz seniorwriter Hasni Mohd Nasir on the way forward for the group.

8/6/2004, Farm Industry News - Several segments of the U.S. agriculturalsector are preparing a quick, effective response if soybean rust isdetected in this country. Soybean rust is a devastating disease thatimpacts soybean yields in many growing areas outside of North America.

08/04/04, Southeast Farm Press - While acreage, demand and weathercontinue to dominate the news in the corn and soybean markets, oneinteresting sidebar is what will happen when and if the United States runsout of soybeans before the new crop becomes available.

05/08/04 - SINGAPORE (Dow Jones)--Asian cash palm oil prices werehigher Thursday, supported by gains in the futures market and buyinginterest from India and China, traders said.At 0910 GMT, the benchmark October crude palm oil contract on theBursa Malaysia Derivatives was trading at 1,440 ringgit ($1=MYR3.8) ametric ton, up MYR35 from Wednesday's settlement price.The presence of India and China - the world's leading consumers andimporters of palm oil - is supporting general market sentiment, traderssaid.Preparations for September's mid-Autumn festival encouraged China toenter the market.In India, the hot and dry weather in July triggered concerns that thecountry's oilseed production could fall this year. However, rains haverevived since last week and are expected to improve throughout August,according to government projections. This has slowed India's demand overthe past few days.However, India returned to the market Wednesday, boosting sentiment inboth the physical and futures markets, one trader said.Market participants are also awaiting the latest report that will beissued by private forecasting firm Palmis Management Bhd. Friday on itsestimates for Malaysian palm oil production, exports and stocks in July.The Palmis data is a prelude to official supply and demand figures,which are due to be issued by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Aug. 12.In the Malaysian cash market, CPO for August shipment was offered atMYR1,480 ringgit/ton, up MYR25 from Wednesday, delivered basis in SouthMalaysia.RBD palm olein for August shipment was offered at $425-427.50/ton, up$5-$7.50 from Wednesday.RBD palm oil for August shipment was at $415-$417.50/ton, up $5-$7.50from Wednesday.In Indonesia, RBD palm olein in Jakarta was offered at 4,250 rupiah($1=IDR9,170) a kilogram, up IDR25 from Wednesday.CPO in Medan was offered Thursday at IDR3,694/kg. CPO wasn't quotedWednesday.In other news, Indonesia sold 4,500 metric tons of crude palm oil at asemiweekly government auction Thursday, said an official from PTPerkebunan Nusantara, the agency that sells palm oil from state-runplantations.The official said the auction price was up IDR30/kg from the previousauction

SAO PAULO (Dow Jones)--Brazilian soybean output could reach 64.2 millionmetric tons in the 2004-05 season (October-September), some 26% higherthan last season as yields return to normal after last year's weather anddisease problems and planted area grows, said local agriculturalconsultancy Celeres Thursday.Planted area is seen jumping 7.6% to 22.9 million hectares from 21.3million hectares last year while average yields are seen rising 16.9% to2,802 kilograms per hectare from 2,397 kg/hectare."Soybeans remain attractive to farmers despite the losses to droughtand Asian rust incurred last year. It is a better bet than corn," saidAnderson Galvao Gomes, Celeres' soy analyst.Celeres' forecast is a little lower than the U.S. Department ofAgriculture forecast for Brazilian output of 66 million tons, releasedlast month.Brazil is the world's No. 2 producer and exporter of soybeans.

SAO PAULO (Dow Jones)--China's soy firms have medium- to long-termplans to start planting soybeans in Brazil, taking advantage of theexcellent growing conditions and low production costs in the center-west,a top Chinese trade official said.In 2003, China imported more than 5 million metric tons of soybeansfrom Brazil, the world's No. 2 producer, and it is looking to guaranteethis supply, said Charles Tang, president of the Sino-Brazilian chamber ofcommerce."It isn't difficult to buy 200,000 or 300,000 hectares to plant," saidTang, while accompanying a Chinese trade mission visiting Brazil.The intention is to integrate the Brazilian and Chinese soy industriesmore closely. In the interim, Chinese firms hope to close long-term supplycontracts with Brazilian cooperatives to build their own warehouses inBrazil, he said.Soy trade relations between the two countries were strained earlierthis year by China's decision to temporarily ban Brazilian soybean importsfrom 23 companies. However, Brazil's industry remains keen to increaseties.Chinese companies are interested in planting in the frontier soyregions of the center-west.