Little Change in Bean Markets

VANCOUVER - Jul 1/05 - SNS -- Birdseed ingredient markets were mostly unchanged on a holiday shortened trading week.

Canadian specialty crop market participants were pleased to have a holiday shortened week because of Canada's national holiday on July 1. With U.S. markets closed Monday for Independence Day celebrations, North American markets are effectively closed for the full four days.

Canadian exporters finished the week frustrated with continued problems managing their export programs. A strike by truckers in the port of Vancouver who handle ocean going containers is making it nearly impossible to move containers through the port.

More troubling was the apparent disinterest by truckers in bringing a quick end to the dispute. They are seeking wage increases and a fuel surcharge to cover rising diesel costs. But, when they first walked out, union representatives publicly stated the truckers would take a week before getting serious about talking about their problems.

By week's end, however, the Canadian government appointed Vince Ready to act as mediator between the truckers and port authorities in Vancouver.

The drivers complain per-container rates paid by shippers have slipped in recent years, sometimes leaving them with only CDN $50 per day after paying operating expenses.

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