10/01/14: Grain imports and exports; fish oil from plant seeds; Uganda's 'cereal banks'

According to investment research company Market Realist, wheat and coarse grains account for more than two-thirds of the overall grain trade, while soybean makes up the rest. As it's Friday, here's a little number crunching to round off the week.

Main importers of grain

 - Asia Pacific

 - developing America

 - Africa

 -  Western Asia.

Main exporters of grain 

 - USA

 - Argentina

 - Australia

 - Russia

 - the European Union

 - Ukraine

Full overview available here.

Scientists have genetically engineered plant seeds to contain Omega-3 fatty acids normally found in oily fish, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported recently.
 

As part of the research project, seeds from false flax (Camelina sativa) plants were modified using genes from microalgae - the primary organisms that produce these fatty acids. 

Full news available here.

Traditionally, homesteads in Karamoja, Uganda, Africa have granaries to store dry grains. These granaries however, aresmall and vulnerable to rodent and pest attacks, which destroy much of the produce, reported African news website allAfrica.

In light if this, a business model has been developed that sees the modification of granaries for larger stocks of grain. These granaries are known as 'cereal banks'.

Full news available here. 

Location of Karamoja in Uganda (Photo credit: Wikipedia)