In light of recent large fines levied by the U.S. government on financial institutions for avoiding strict Sudanese trade sanctions, many banks and trading companies are reducing their involvement with that country's grain business. Sudan needs to import at least 2 MMT of wheat per year, but this is becoming much more difficult.

  News Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST COMMENTS The Saudi Arabian government has announced that 42 Saudi companies and individuals have applied to make investments in foreign countries under the Saudi Initiative for Agricultural Investment Abroad. All investments are provided by the private sector, but the foreign country work is supported and assisted by the Saudi Arabian government. Currently, it has...