Weekly National Molasses Report

SPRINGFIELD - Jan 3/05 - SNS -- The USDA released its latest weekly national report covering the sugarcane molasses market in that country. The report covers both cane blackstrap and feed grade merchandise

National Molasses Report

Price quotes for sugarcane molasses trended steady for the week.  Seasonal
demand is very good in most areas of the country.  Limited rail cars and
transportation rates continue to be issues in the movement of molasses.

Type and Market Area       As of Noon:          Two Weeks Ago       Last Year
                           01/03/2005             12/20/2004        12/29/2003
Cane Blackstrap-

 New Orleans               no quote                no quote        52.50-55.00
 Houston                  75.00-90.00             75.00-90.00      60.00
                      mostly  80.00-86.00
 South Florida              70.00                   70.00          62.50

1/ Per ton prices are based on 171 gallons for blackstrap molasses. To
compute cents per gallon prices on cane molasses divide dollars per ton by
171 gallons ($ per ton divided by 171 gallons = cents per gallon). Ton-
2,000 lbs; Gallon= U.S. gallon.

2/ Effective Jan 1, 2005 Molasses market news will be published on business day
closest to the 1st and 15th of each month.

Source:  USDA-IL Dept of Ag Market News Springfield, IL 217-782-4925

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STAT News Service