Eye-Catching News

Indonesia tests higher biodiesel blends... Indonesia launched road tests for two types of biodiesel containing 40% palm oil, hoping to conclude by the end of the year whether they are viable for public use. The fuels to be tested over the next few months are diesel mixed with 40% fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), called B40, and B30D10, which is diesel with 30% FAME mixed with 10% green diesel made of refined, bleached and deodorised palm oil (RBDPO). Indonesia currently mandates all diesel sold in the country contain 30% palm oil – the highest compulsory blend in the world.

HRS wheat tour results... Scouts on Day 1 of the Wheat Quality Council’s annual spring wheat tour found an average HRS yield of 48.9 bu. per acre on routes through southern and eastern areas of North Dakota, up sharply from the five-year average of 39.0 bu. per acre on similar routes. The crop has benefited from favorable weather, the North Dakota Wheat Commission said, although high humidity has raised risk of crop diseases and grasshoppers threaten yields in spots.

Shippers note heightened dangers of Black Sea grain exports... The paper agreement to restart Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea is running up against the reality of how difficult and risky the pact will be to carry out. “We have to work very hard to now understand the detail of how this is going to work practically,” said Guy Platten, secretary-general of the International Chamber of Shipping, which says it represents national shipowners associations, accounting for about 80% of the world’s merchant fleet. “Can we make sure and guarantee the safety of the crews? What’s going to happen with the mines and the minefields, as well? So lots of uncertainty and unknowns at the moment,” he told the Associated Press.