US Wheat Association Closing Cairo Office, Dairy In NAFTA Talks
From the Ag Information Network, I'm Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.**U.S. Wheat Associates will close its office in Cairo, Egypt December 1.
The industry's export market development organization began considering changes as the supply of lower priced wheat from Russia increased.
According to Brownfield, US Wheat President Vince Peterson says closing the Cairo office was a difficult decision, but adds regional management for US Wheat's Middle East operations has been with its office in Rotterdam.
U.S. Wheat will continue trade service to wheat buyers in Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region on a targeted basis.
**The National Milk Producers Federation confirms the Canadian dairy policies were brought up during the recently concluded 4th round of NAFTA renegotiations.
NMPF's Chris Galen tells Brownfield he agrees with Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who said there are things that need to be discussed and you can't conclude a successful round of negotiations without resolving them, adding Canada's Class 7 system with tariffs of 250-300 percent is one of them.
Canada has already said the issue is a non-starter.
NAFTA talks continue next month in Mexico.
**Meatpacker JBS reportedly has closed seven of its packing plants in Brazil.
According to Brownfield, media reports say the closures are the result of a court-ordered $230 million asset freeze.
JBS owners, brothers Wesley and Joesley Batista were arrested last month on corruption and insider trading charges.
JBS is working to restore operations at the plants, but says they will remain closed until the matter is resolved.