• The Telegraph reported that BlackRock has ramped up its actions against executives failing to tackle climate issues. BlackRock voted against 255 board directors at companies, including Berkshire Hathaway and Exxon Mobil in the year ending 30 June 2021 as they failed to act on climate issues. This is more than four times the 55 executives it rejected the year before. BlackRock also rejected the management of a total of 319 companies for climaterelated issues. In addition, BlackRock held more than 2,300 conversations with executives on climate-related issues in the year through 30 June as tackling climate change becomes an increasing priority.

• Reuters quoted sources as saying that the White House has delayed an annual process meant to decide how much ethanol and other biofuels that the US oil refiners need to blend into their fuel each year as it seeks a solution for an issue that pits refinery workers against corn farmers. Lawmakers, who represent constituents from both industries, have been pushing the Biden administration on the issue for months. Sources said that the White House has largely stayed out of the discussions but is now hoping to take control of the matter.

• S&P Global Platts cited sources as saying that Brazil’s soybean exports to date in July are seen to be lower than a year earlier as farmers hoarding stocks stoke tight supply concerns. This is expected to support demand for US soybeans. Brazil exported 5.55mil tonnes of soybeans in the first three weeks of July, down from 6.18mil tonnes in the same period last year. Bids from China have also declined in recent weeks, sources said. Soybean crushers in China, which have been facing slim margins since February, have become price-sensitive and would rather wait for margins to improve before purchasing soybeans in bulk.

• Bloomberg reported that in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, Indonesia expects its palm oil supply to be resilient. According to an official with the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), zero cases have been reported so far this year by the member companies under GAPKI and the production of palm oil will go on undisrupted. The tighter movement curbs in Indonesia have not affected palm oil operations or logistics as it is considered an essential sector.

• According to Bloomberg also, Cargill plans to invest US$350mil over the next two to three years in Indonesia. Cargill is allocating US$200mil for a palm refinery in Lampung and US$100mil for a corn processing plant in East Java. Both of the plants are expected to be completed in year 2022F.

Source: AmInvest Research - 26 Jul 2021