Agriculture

Population growth will drive commodity demand

by

BOUT DOT EARTH By 2050 or so, the human population is expected to reach nine billion, essentially adding two Chinas to the number of people alive today. Those billions will be seeking food, water and other resources on a planet where, scientists say, humans are already shaping climate and the web of life. In Dot Earth, which recently moved from the news side of The Times to the Opinion section, Andrew C. Revkin examines efforts to balance human affairs with the planet’s limits. Conceived in part with support from a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, Dot Earth tracks relevant developments from … Read more

Funds Bet Big on Agriculture

by

Funds add Bullish agriculture bets on shortages Funds increased Bullish bets on agricultural commodities by the most in more than a year on signs of tightening supplies amid adverse weather conditions. In the week ended August 30, speculators raised their net-Long positions in 11 commodities by 18% to 915,341 futures and options contracts, government data show, the biggest gain since August 3, 2010. Holdings in Wheat more than tripled, Bullish Corn bets reached an 11-week high, and Coybean positions rose to the highest since November 2010. Corn prices have risen 70% in the past year and Soybean has gained 43%. … Read more