Energy prices, for oil most of all, have fallen primarily because of reduced Asian demand.

In recent months, however, Asian demand has been more robust.

Wouldn't it be better if Asian and European domestic demand could pick up some of the slack?

Together with solid Asian demand for petroleum products, he said, lower payments could lead to a full-year profit.

Large crops and falling Asian demand have pushed corn prices down from about $5 a bushel two years ago to less than half that now.

In the last year a number of passing factors, including a drop in Asian demand, have cut into prices further.

But with Asian demand falling, the first evidence of an export decline showed up in Government trade data released last month.

The stock price was depressed primarily because of slowing Asian demand and inventory problems, he said.

Asian and European demand remains strong, he said.

Later on, we noted the emergence of Asian demand which seems to be lasting.