Tag Archives: press-releases
South Africa Biofuels Seen Raising Sorghum Output Fivefold
By Tshepiso Mokhema – Oct 7, 2013 South Africa ’s plan to source all grain needed for biofuels production locally means sorghum output will have to climb at least fivefold, the nation’s biggest representative of commercial farmers said. Biofuel must comprise at least 5 percent of diesel and 2 percent to 10 percent of gasoline starting Oct. 1, 2015, Energy Minister Ben Martins said in a Sept. 30 Government Gazette. South Africa’s sorghum harvest probably increased 11 percent to 151,064 tons in the season that ended in April from a year earlier, the Pretoria-based Crop Estimates Committee said in its final forecast on Sept. 26. “We need an additional volume of 620,000 tons of sorghum to produce enough bioethanol to meet the 2 percent inclusion rate,” Wessel Lemmer, a senior economist at Grain South Africa, said in an e-mail. That would equate to output of about 771,000 metric tons. “The grains need to be produced locally, providing additional jobs in the value chain.” Forty-seven percent of South Africa’s sorghum, the country’s biggest summer crop after corn, soybean and sunflower seed, is grown in the Free State province, according to the committee. The grain is used as a staple food in some rural communities, livestock feed and to make traditional beer. “ Food security , in terms of availability or affordability, will not be impacted negatively,” Lemmer said. One ton of sorghum produces about 400 liters (106 gallons) to 440 liters of bioethanol, according to Lemmer. Competitive Prices Sorghum futures rose 1.5 percent to 3,350 rand ($333) a ton on Oct. 4 on the South African Futures Exchange, the highest since at least May 2010. They were unchanged by midday today. “The biofuels industry will be able to offer competitive prices for sorghum, enabling producers to plant a profitable crop,” said Lemmer. “This will incentivize producers to increase the production of sorghum.” In August last year, Grain SA estimated sorghum production would have to increase by 600,000 tons. The only available starch crop for bioethanol is sorghum, while for biodiesel soybean, sunflower seed and canola can be used, Lemmer. Corn, one of the country’s staple foods, has been excluded from bioethanol production, he said. To contact the reporter on this story: Tshepiso Mokhema in Johannesburg at tmokhema@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Antony Sguazzin at asguazzin@bloomberg.net Continue reading
Bulgaria Has Big Potential For Biomass Energy Production
October 7, 2013 Photo by globalresourceadvisorsllc.com Energy consumption in Bulgaria will double by 2035 and a possible increase in biomass production could be a way to meet growing demand for electricity . Bulgaria has huge potential for biomass production and could benefit from it to satisfy its future energy needs, according to Royal Dutch Shell expert, Vim Thomas. Thomas recently presented in Sofia an analysis on energy needs and consumption in the next 20 years. Bulgaria’s energy consumption will double in the next 20 years and the country’s energy strategy will depend on a choice made between two main scenarios, pointed out the expert. The first scenario is that a political elite will made the important decisions regarding Bulgaria’s energy policy, while the second one is that a business elite will be in charge of the country’s energy strategy. Bulgaria’s increased demand for electricity in the future will be either met by nuclear power and natural gas, if politicians will make the calls, or by coal-fired plants, which will become main sources of energy , if it’s up to business to make the decisions on energy development, said Thomas. In both cases, Bulgaria could benefit from developing further its renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind power , but especially biomass , because biomass is available essentially everywhere in the country, pointed out the expert. – See more at: http://www.novinite….h.ojP7rXjw.dpuf Continue reading
Investors Continue To Boost Land Prices
Robyn Vinter Monday 07 October 2013 Investor demand is continuing to help drive up the price of farmland, according to Knight Frank. The average value of English farmland rose by 4% in the third quarter of the year to £6,678/acre – a new record high – according to the latest results of the firm’s farmland index. “We are seeing a steady increase in the number of enquiries from individuals and funds, both in the UK and overseas, looking to diversify their investment portfolios,” said Tom Raynham, head of Knight Frank’s agricultural investments team. “Large blocks of good arable farmland, preferably over 1,000 acres, are most in demand,” he said. Capital growth is a key driver, according to Mr Raynham, with prices having risen by 222% in the past decade and predicted to rise by at least 5% annually over the next three years. Investors, however, were also looking more closely at annual yields, he added. “People start to get very interested if there is also the potential for additional income from the likes of renewable energy or a diversified farm business.” A resurgence in agricultural research is also adding to the sector’s investment potential, he said. Continue reading
