Weekly National Molasses Report

SPRINGFIELD - Apr 1/05 - 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

**** We are terminating the National Market News report April 15,
2005 due to lack of industry cooperation in providing trade
information.****

National Molasses Report

The Houston area prices increased 2.50-7.00 from the previous report.  Trade was
mostly steady but beginning to slow down.  Domestic and international supplies
are light.  Pastures throughout most of the country are being utilized and
supplements limited.  Alternative additives continue to be looked at by both cow
calf producers and feed yards as molasses prices rise.

Type and Market Area       As of Noon:          Previous Report     Last Year
                           04/01/2005             03/15/2005        04/05/2004
Cane Blackstrap-
 New Orleans               no quote                no quote        52.50-55.00
 Houston                 100.00-112.50           100.00-110.00     60.00
                      mostly 107.00-112.50
South Florida             no quote                no quote        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.

3/ Above prices reflect both contract and spot prices from the previous 15 days.

**** We are terminating the National Market News report April 15,
2005 due to lack of industry cooperation in providing trade
information.****

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

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STAT News Service