Summary of newspaper of the previous day – 12.12.2011

Agricultural labour unions have not agreed with companies on wage growth yet

Agricultural labour unions have not agreed with agrarian entrepreneurs in respect of growth of wage tariffs next year yet; representatives of both the participating sides confirmed it after negotiation to ČTK today. While labour unions require increase of tariffs at average by 3.8 percents; agricultural firms offer a growth by 1.2 percents. Both sides have to sit again before Christmas. For the present, the unionists have agreed with the entrepreneurs only on increase of minimal contribution to a superannuation scheme from the present 250 to 350 crowns today, a chief of labour unions Bohumír Dufek said to ČTK and added that a further meeting with agricultural unions will take place on the 21st of December. The unionists give reasons for their requirements regarding the growth of wage tariffs that according to labour unions´ estimations necessary expenditures of households for heating, electricity, food and living will increase year-on-yearly by more than 3,5 percents next year.

FAO expects record wheat harvest in the world

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UNO expects a record wheat harvest this year. It results from the actual report of the organization from the 8th December. In its analysis the FAO counts on the global harvested amount 694.8 million tonnes. Thereby the new wheat harvest would exceed the foregoing result by 6.5 % (42.5 mil. t) and at the same time the present record harvest from 2009/10 by 1.4 % (10.2 mil. t). Against the last estimation from November the FAO experts increased its prognosis almost by 4 %.

Funds significantly reduced book on price growth of agricultural commodities

Hedge funds have reduced book on price growth of agricultural commodities to the lowest level over the last 27 months. The cause is news about a high production. The Data Commodity Futures Trading Commission revealed that the amount of speculative positions across 11 agricultural products decreased in the week ending on the 6th December by 3.6 percents to 258 071 options and futures. It is the lowest level since September 2009. The book on rise in corn price fell by 11 percents to a 17-month minimum. The world food prices monitored by UNO decreased in November already the fifth month in sequence.

Potatoes: Queen of Czech cuisine

Of what countries, which do not grow potatoes at all or only such small amount as of crocuses, are depleted. The fact that they are the best and the cheapest food concentrate in the world is one of many merits. They have the biggest satiating effect of all foods; they are one of the richest resources of antioxidants; they contain saccharides, proteins and fats in a balanced ratio. And what about their protein. For a high content of essential amino acids they belong to the most valuable proteins of plant origin. Also an unambiguous cookery-book belongs to potatoes and photographer slobber over their flower. We got used to take potatoes as something self-evident and as a cheap supplement to our alimentation.