Vol. No. Vol. 2418No. 3327
Wednesday, January 2016 Wednesday, March13, 2, 2022
FREE PUBLICATION
A FREE PUBLICATION FROM YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS 3WM AND MIXXFM
TUCKING IN: Horsham Ss Michael and John’s Primary School gradetwo pupils Dakota Oakley, left, and April Hobbs prepare to put pancakes to the taste test as part of Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent and precedes Ash Wednesday on the Christian calendar. The pancake tradition reflects the last opportunity for Christians to ‘indulge’ before 40 days of fasting. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Market uncertainty F
BY NICK RIDLEY
ederal and state leaders are warning the Wimmera and similar regional areas will be far from immune from socio-economic fall-out caused by the Russian and Ukrainian conflict.
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the situation in Ukraine would affect Mallee broadacre farmers, but was unsure of the extent of the impact. “Producers have managed all manner of trading environments for many years and the Federal Government will be watching closely and advocating for the interests of Australia,” she said. The conflict between Russia and the Ukraine escalated after Russia invaded its neighbour last week.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the Federal Government had imposed sanctions on Russia and was ready to extend them in partnership with the international community. “The Australian government and all Australians are deeply concerned with the unprovoked and unacceptable aggression by Russia against Ukraine,” he said. Mr Littleproud said energy prices had risen, but it was hard to predict how long this would last. “Russia is a major producer and exporter of fertilisers and the largest supplier of many fertilisers Australian farmers would be familiar with, like urea, ammonium and nitrogen,” he said. “Australia doesn’t import significant
quantities of these products from Russia, but they are a major exporter globally, that could mean farmers will face high prices for these inputs.” Mr Littleproud said the conflict had created input-price uncertainty. “The impacts of the conflict could be felt both directly and indirectly on prices for commodities, energy and critical input prices including for fertilisers,” he said. Russia and Ukraine are large-scale economies and crucial geo-political countries with a significant influence on international trade. Analyst Dennis Voznesenski from agriculture banking specialist Rabobank said the Russian and Ukrainian conflict would have large ramifications for global and Australian
wheat and oilseeds markets. “The loss of access to the Black Sea for wheat exports has not occurred in more than 100 years,” he said. “It accounts for 34 percent of global wheat exports. It will see exports out of the region grind to a halt, at least in the short term, due to blockages to shipping and the high cost or lack of availability of insurance for vessels.” Mr Voznesenski said sanctions would cause long-term structural changes to wheat exports. “Global wheat prices have already risen 21 percent since February 1 of this year, and could rise another five to 10 percent,” he said. “If the conflict continues to July when the Black Sea harvest starts and with sanctions on Russia being
implemented, global prices could rise another 61 percent from their current levels.” Mr Voznesenski said apart from wheat, the conflict would cause disruptions to canola, feed and barley markets. “Ukraine is the third-largest exporter of canola in the world after Australia and Canada,” he said. “Russia and Ukraine are the largest producers and exporters of sunflower seeds and sunflower oil.” Wimmera farmer and former Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the geo-political conflict between Russia and Ukraine had created a ‘fear market’ in the grains community. Continued page 3
IN accommodation residents strong • Football-netball IN THIS THISISSUE ISSUE• •Crisis Development groupplan eyes• Quantong city tradies • Expo stand returns • Your football-netballaction club Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
AUDITED: 22,403 22,507 COPIES
Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit www.auditedmedia.org.au
April 2020 October 2020 to September to September 2020 2021
FAMILY BREAD BUNDLE
ONLY
5.00
$
GRAB A WHITE OR WHOLEMEAL SANDWICH LOAF AND 4 *ROUND ROLLS
Serving suggestion only. Subject to availability, while stocks last. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. *Round roll only valid up to .80c each.
•
•
•
•
•
KMART BEST AND LESS SPOTLIGHT REJECT SHOP WIDE RANGE OF SPECIALTY STORES WWW.HORSHAMPLAZA.COM.AU