Hot off the press from HighQuest Partners
Last
week's 8th Annual Oilseed and Grain Trade Summit played host to
renowned industry analysts and executives who provided key market
insights into the agribusiness world.
Amongst the industry experts present at the event in Minnesota, USA were Thomas Meilke, editor of Oil World and Carl Casale, CEO of CHS Inc., the nation's leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States.
In light of the 9 billion strong population projected in 2050, the subject of food supply was a prevalent topic of conversation.
Outlining the need to double current food supplies, Philippe de Lapérouse, managing director of HighQuest Partners - hosts of the summit - spoke of the factors effecting world food production. These included:
- a growing urbanisation of the global population, which is putting pressure on available arable land for crop production and increasing reliance on processed foods;
- fast growing middle classes in developing markets which are shifting from grain to protein-based diets; and
- constraints on the supply of crops due to competition for water with other uses, climate change, and a slow down in yield increases of the major crops.
Lapérouse also pointed out the link between the agricultural sector and the energy markets, touching on the biofuel policies implemented in major markets around the world.
Additionally noted was the lack of human capital needed to support a growing agricultural sector as a result of generational transfer in both developed and developing markets, and inadequate capacity building in developing markets.
Mielke echoed these concerns over the challenges of beingable to meet future demand for food crops, noting that agricultural land has become a limiting factor worldwide with land values having more than doubled within the past six years.
Amongst the industry experts present at the event in Minnesota, USA were Thomas Meilke, editor of Oil World and Carl Casale, CEO of CHS Inc., the nation's leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States.
In light of the 9 billion strong population projected in 2050, the subject of food supply was a prevalent topic of conversation.
Outlining the need to double current food supplies, Philippe de Lapérouse, managing director of HighQuest Partners - hosts of the summit - spoke of the factors effecting world food production. These included:
- a growing urbanisation of the global population, which is putting pressure on available arable land for crop production and increasing reliance on processed foods;
- fast growing middle classes in developing markets which are shifting from grain to protein-based diets; and
- constraints on the supply of crops due to competition for water with other uses, climate change, and a slow down in yield increases of the major crops.
Lapérouse also pointed out the link between the agricultural sector and the energy markets, touching on the biofuel policies implemented in major markets around the world.
Additionally noted was the lack of human capital needed to support a growing agricultural sector as a result of generational transfer in both developed and developing markets, and inadequate capacity building in developing markets.
Mielke echoed these concerns over the challenges of beingable to meet future demand for food crops, noting that agricultural land has become a limiting factor worldwide with land values having more than doubled within the past six years.
“In
conclusion,” said Mielke, while predicting a bearish outlook for 2014,
“while underlying market demand for oilseeds and meals is strong in the
near-term, we need to focus more on higher yields and global solutions
to the volume and logistics problems the industry is facing.”
More than 600 attendees were present at the Oilseed & Grain Trade Summit. Hundreds of traders and importers flocked to the summit to take advantage of the excellent networking opportunities. Buyers from several countries, including Singapore, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan were also in attendance.
Next year, HighQuest Partners will launch the first ever European Oilseed Congress.
Oilseed Congress Europe/MENA will take place in Barcelona, Spain from the 5-6 February 2014.
For more information and to register for this international event, visit www.oilseedcongress.com
More than 600 attendees were present at the Oilseed & Grain Trade Summit. Hundreds of traders and importers flocked to the summit to take advantage of the excellent networking opportunities. Buyers from several countries, including Singapore, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan were also in attendance.
Next year, HighQuest Partners will launch the first ever European Oilseed Congress.
Oilseed Congress Europe/MENA will take place in Barcelona, Spain from the 5-6 February 2014.
For more information and to register for this international event, visit www.oilseedcongress.com
 |
| Carl Casale, keynote speaker and CEO of CHS, addresses attendees during his presentation entitled, “Staying Relevant in a Rapidly Changing World,” at the 2013 Oilseed & Grain Trade Summit in Minnesota, USA last week. |
