Tensions along the Ukraine/Russian border – and the possibility of war between two of the world’s leading suppliers of corn, sunflower oil and wheat – have boosted futures prices, while cash market participants have largely played down the impact of developments, AgriCensus wrote.

A new legal framework on organic agriculture which came into effect on 1 January could provide a boost to the sector, agri-food information agency EFEAgro wrote.

Palm oil companies have the strongest no-deforestation commitments in place while beef companies have the weakest, Eco Business reported from new research by UK-based non-profit organisation Global Canopy.

Speciality chemical company Evonik has announced it will build a new production plant in Slovakia for bio-based rhamnolipids.

Global agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Wolf Carbon Solutions signed a partnership on 11 January aimed at further decarbonising ADM’s operations.

An acute shortage of rapeseed supply across Germany has made securing feedstock problematic for oilseed millers and processors and threatens to hit the sector’s profitability, market sources told AgriCensus.

Leading Canadian biotechnology company Genecis Bioindustries and Dutch firm Helian Polymers have announced a partnership to create polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based formulations.

Leading renewable chemistry technology company Avantium has signed a supply agreement with renewable energy co-operative Tereos.

Production of certified castor seed doubled last year under the Pragati sustainable castor project founded by German chemical and biotech giant BASF, speciality chemicals company Arkema, oleochemical firm Jayant Agro-Organics and implementation partner Solidaridad.

Soyabean production estimates in Brazil have been reduced by 11.3M tonnes due to droughts in the south of the country, local consultancy Agrural was quoted as saying in an AgriCensus report.

The rate of deforestation in the Amazon has more than doubled in a decade, Olive Oil Times wrote, reaching its highest level in 15 years.

Construction engineering company Thyssenkrupp Uhde Thailand has been awarded a contract for an esterification plant by a leading oleochemical and speciality chemical producer in Asia, the company announced on 12 January.

Food technology company Benson Hill has announced the acquisition of ZFS Creston, an established food grade white flake and soya flour manufacturing operation in Creston, Iowa.