contents VOLUME 29 NUMBER 8 AUGUST 2011 www.World-Grain.com FEATURES 28 North American regional review In a series of articles, World Grain takes a look at a region that supplies a significant portion of the world’s grain. We examine the region’s flour milling industry and look at the effects of NAFTA on the North American countries. 46 68 74 80 84 90 94 98 Dramatic decline Ocean freight rates for grain shipments will continue to be dictated by excess vessel supply. 28 Finding more non-food uses for grain Production of bioplastics is growing at a rapid pace. IGC hears calls for predictable market International experts say grain consumers in Europe and Asia need more stability in prices. Plan for enhancing food security revealed Agricultural ministers to submit ambitious proposal to heads of state at G20 Summit in November. Improving mill output Pre-cleaning, proper technology and good management ensure milled rice is of the best quality. 80 Rice industry news review World Grain highlights the most important issues affecting the global rice industry. DEPARTMENTS 08 10 12 20 Editorial Calendar World Grain News Grain Market Review: Coarse grains 22 Country Focus: Venezuela 106 Supplier News 110 Advertiser Index/ Fax Back Form ON THE COVER: A grain freighter loading at a Thunder Bay grain elevator. Photo by Doug Edgar. World flour trade falls 10% IGC cites high prices, limited supplies as reasons for drop in 2010-11 exports. Resilient pests Creating an unfriendly environment for hard-to-kill cockroaches in the warm summer months can help keep them outside your facility. 102 Technical profile Front-end dehulling and hot dehulling are usually the methods of choice for oilseed crush managers. ©Copyright 2011. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. All information is published in good faith. While care is taken to prevent inaccuracies, the publishers accept no liability for any errors or omissions or for the consequences of any action taken on the basis of information published. www.World-Grain.com / World Grain / August 2011 5http://www.World-Grain.com http://www.World-Grain.com