LONDON, Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Platts, a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information, today launched Platts Agriculture Alert (PAA), a real-time news, data and benchmark price service for the global agriculture markets. It supplements Platts' daily, weekly and monthly agriculture offerings and augments Platts' existing suite of real-time services aiding the biofuels, coal, electric power, metals, natural gas, oil, petrochemicals and shipping sectors.

"Platts Agriculture Alert provides up-to-the-minute information and data on the sugar and grains markets, drawing on the best practices of Platts' Kingsman sugar specialty unit and Platts' century-plus experience as an industry go-to source for independent market information in energy commodities," said Andrea Mayendia, Platts commercial director of agriculture.

The new service, available via online platform Platts on the Net (POTN), includes a steady flow of news, market updates and commentaries and Platts benchmark price assessments for raw and white sugar on a global basis and for corn and wheat in Europe. In addition to daily and weekly benchmark price references and monthly averages, PAA features intra-daily information on bids, offers and transactions as determined between buyers and sellers in the open markets and reported to Platts.

"With its continuous view of market developments and price discovery, PAA is an ideal workflow tool for sugar and grains producers, consumers, trading houses, financial institutions and other key market participants," said Tim Worledge, Platts associate editorial director, agriculture.

The Platts sugar and grains physical market price assessments featured in PAA are underpinned by Platts' rigorous, structured methodology, the details of which may be found on the website www.platts.com.

For more information on Platts agriculture offerings, complimentary trials and more details about PAA, click here: More about Platts Agriculture Alert.

About Platts: Founded in 1909, Platts is a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information and a premier source of benchmark prices for the physical and futures markets. Platts' news, pricing, analytics, commentary and conferences help customers make better-informed trading and business decisions and help the markets operate with greater transparency and efficiency. Customers in more than 150 countries benefit from Platts' coverage of the biofuels, carbon emissions, coal, electricity, oil, natural gas, metals, nuclear power, petrochemical, shipping and sugar markets. A division of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), Platts is based in London with more than 1000 employees in more than 15 offices worldwide. Additional information is available at www.platts.com.

About McGraw Hill Financial: McGraw Hill Financial, a financial intelligence company, is a leader in credit ratings, benchmarks and analytics for the global capital and commodity markets. Iconic brands include: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, S&P Capital IQ, S&P Dow Jones Indices, Platts, CRISIL, J.D. Power and McGraw Hill Construction. The Company has approximately 18,000 employees in 30 countries. Additional information is available at www.mhfi.com.

Media contacts: In Asia: Kimitsu Yogachi at kimi.yogachi@platts.com or +65 6530 6596; in Europe: Elizabeth Catalano at elizabeth.catalano@platts.com or +44 207 176 6024; Global & U.S.: Kathleen Tanzy Kathleen.tanzy@platts.com at +1 212-904-2860.

SOURCE Platts