WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2004 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animaland Plant Health Inspection Service today confirmed the presence ofsoybean rust on soybean leaf samples taken from two plots associated witha Louisiana State University research farm Saturday.

SAO PAULO, Nov 08, 2004 -- Brazilian agricultural consultancy Celereslowered its Brazilian soybean output estimate for 2004-05 to 63.9 millionmetric tons in its November estimate from 64.2 million tons last month.

Monday, November 08, 2004 KORONADAL CITY -- A militant farmers' group lastweek has expressed opposition to the planned expansion of palm oilplantations in South Cotabato claiming it would result into "massive landand crop conversions in the area."

05/11/04 (Dow Jones)--Abundant India edible oils supply may limit roomfor further imports in coming months, which would be negative for palm oilproducers Malaysia and Indonesia, traders say. About 900,000 tons of oilimported by India in August-October. But despite strong demand, domesticprices in India not rising much because of oversupply; declines expectedafter end of Hindu festival next Friday. But so far palm oil prices stillfirm because supply not as ample as other oils.

IPOH, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Deputy Minister of International Trade andIndustry Datuk Husni Hanadzlah will lead a trade and investment mission toSouth America covering Peru, Argentina and Brazil from Nov 24 to Dec 10.

05/11/04 NEW DELHI (Dow Jones)--Indian edible oil prices were mixed inthe week to Friday because of sufficient supplies and rising oilseedarrivals accompanied by lower oil imports in October.

MUADZAM SHAH, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The Science, Technology and InnovationsMinistry will carry out detailed studies on the use of palm oil as analternative to petrol.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov 5 (Asia in Focus) - A Malaysian trade missionwill visit Sarangani province and neighboring areas later this month toopen up possible trade exchanges and explore investment opportunities inthe area.

2 November 2004 KORONADAL CITY ­- Palm oil production will earn biggerprofits for farmers in South Cotabato since the crop is suited to allareas in the province with the exception of Lake Sebu town owing to itshigh elevation, Rey Legasti, provincial agriculture officer, said.

PULAU PINANG, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Entrepreneurs planning to export theirproducts to countries in Asean are advised not to use middlemen to handletheir applications for the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) toavoid being cheated.