COMAG - AGRICULTURAL MARKET CONSULTANCY

The dynamic of the agricultural market, as well as the volatility of commodities prices, have made information strategic and essential for those involved in Brazilian agribusiness. This growing demand for knowledge led Informa Economics FNP, a company with over 20 years' experience in the Brazilian farming sector, to produce the Agricultural Market Consultancy (COMAG).

COMAG takes a snapshot of the activity and translates it in an analytical and informative manner for readers, giving them a detailed overview of the market for the main crops in Brazil - soy, corn/sorghum, cotton, and sugarcane, with in-depth analysis of the events in the sector and expectations for the future for each production chain. It is an essential support tool for any business interested in understanding and predicting the dynamic of the main agricultural commodities in Brazil and the world.

Crops dealt with:

• Soy and other oilseeds
• Corn and other winter cereals
• Cotton
• Sugarcane

Content:

Introduction

• Executive summary: brief summary including the main news on each crop
• Overview: Holistic vision of the Brazilian economy and agribusiness
• Economic indicators: brief analysis of Brazil's macro-economic scenario.

Crops

• Global supply and demand figures: main events in the key countries for each crop and the impact on international trade and market operations.
• Harvest forecasts and follow-up: estimates for current harvest production with periodical updating on crop progress and conditions throughout Brazil.
• Brazilian supply and demand figures: monthly forecast on supply and demand for each productive chain and their sub-products.
• Market overview; analysis of spot and future prices and our expectations for the dynamic on these values over the coming months.
• Production costs: estimates and consolidated prices for costs and profitability in the main producer regions, updated three times a year.

Statistical appendix

• Tables of statistics for all the information analyzed.

BRAZILIAN BIODIESEL SECTOR

The global market for biodiesel has been growing rapidly and production levels have increased from 0.9 billion litres in 2000 to 7.9 billion litres in 2007. Most of the demand growth is in the European Union, but Brazil as well as neighbouring Argentina have been investing in an integrated production base to meet long-term export opportunities. Unlike developed countries, the Brazilian biodiesel program has been aimed mainly at creating new jobs in rural areas. In contrast, the United States has been driven by the need to reduce dependency on fossil fuel imports, while EU policy is aimed at achieving long-term environmental sustainability under the Kyoto Protocol targets

Key questions to be answered in this study

• Feedstocks - the advantages and disadvantages?
• Jatropha, castor beans and crambe - are these viable feedstock alternatives?
• How competitive are soybean oils and tallow on a global basis?
• What are Brazil's export opportunities and eventual barriers?
• The outlook for the major biodiesel players - integration or consolidation?
• What is the position of the Brazilian government on incentives - and will it change?
• Petrobras - what is its role in the biodiesel industry?
• Alternative technologies - which are being explored in Brazil?
• What factors enhance Brazil's position in biodiesel production?
• Low oil prices - what are the implications for the biodiesel industry?
• Opportunities for investment in the short and long-term?

DAILY SOYBEAN NEWSLETTER

Publication in portuguese.

DAILY CORN NEWSLETTER

Publication in portuguese.