Clarice Couto

Brazil’s government is preparing a rescue package for farmers in default and agricultural companies struggling with delinquency amid tumbling corn and soybean prices.

Catastrophic floods in Brazil will have long-lasting impacts for agriculture, with soaked soils making it harder for farmers to plant crops including rice and wheat for next season.

Brazil said the US has cleared the way for its shipments of used cooking oil in a move that may further erode profits for American soybean producers and crushers as they face increased competition from imported biofuel-making ingredients.

Smartfit Escola de Ginástica e Dança SA, one of the largest fitness chains in Latin America, said it’s in talks to acquire shares in closely held Velocity Academia de Ginástica.

Brazil soybean acreage is poised for its slowest expansion in almost two decades as lower prices have eroded farmers’ profit margins.

Brazil has halted all chicken exports to China after a virulent poultry disease was found on a commercial farm, expanding a previous ban and dealing a blow to meat packers including BRF SA.

Wheat prices fell as the threat of a rail strike in Canada prompted farmers to sell the grain ahead of any transport disruptions.

Soybean prices erased gains after reaching a two-month high, as traders weighed an ample supply outlook and speculation about Chinese demand.