Grain market review: Coarse grains
Short covering by funds, in the absence of new bearish news, sparked a small-scale recovery in maize (corn) prices, following recent declines. The European Confederation of Maize Production (CEPM) in its March 19 Corn Market publication said, “US maize prices continue to consolidate with a second consecutive week of gains, following 10 weeks of continuous declines between early January and Feb. 20. This is due to a more cautious attitude on the part of non-commercial funds, which are covering part…
Focus on Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia produced nearly double the wheat expected in the 2022-23 marketing year and is on track for similar results in 2023-24 as government purchase prices remain high. Production totaled 1.18 million tonnes in 2022-23 and is estimated at 1.2 million tonnes in 2023-24, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The government offered a purchase price of $466.70 per tonne.
Cargill offers canola program in Canada.
With a rising interest in canola as a renewable fuel feedstock, Canadian growers will be able to access new and growing markets through the Cargill Power Canola program, which will begin enrollment this month for the 2024 crop year. Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations, the US Renewable Fuel Standard and the 2BS voluntary sustainability program in the European Union recognize canola as a low-carbon intensity feedstock for biofuels when grown using sustainable practices. Cargill Power Canola provides growers access to these…
Discord impacting EU grain, feed industries
Intensifying protests have left the Ukrainian-European Union (EU) border nearly paralyzed, jeopardizing one of the export lifelines of the reeling Ukrainian economy. The rally backed by farmers all over the bloc, however, is increasingly seen as an attempt to revolt against the EU’s environmental policy. Footage of grain spilled from a truck near the Shehyni-Medyka checkpoint on the Ukraine-Poland border has quickly become viral on social media networks, turning into a symbol of the growing dissent on the economic and,…
Rains boost Australia’s summer crops.
Summer crop prospects for Australia were pronounced “excellent” following well-timed rains in eastern growing areas that boosted expectations for production to 4.3 million tonnes, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) quarterly report released March 4. If realized, 2023-24 summer crop production – which includes sorghum, rice and cotton – would still be 17% below last year but 22% above the 10-year average of 3.5 million tonnes, according to ABARES, which raised its outlook…
Grain market review: Oilseeds
The popularity of soybeans with US producers, as they plant for 2024-25, has put pressure on prices, particularly following an upward revision to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) planted area forecast. Big Brazilian and Argentine production at the same time as softening Chinese demand also contributed to the forecast. In a paper, “Grains and Oilseeds Outlook for 2024,” published Feb. 15 at the Agricultural Outlook Forum 2024, the USDA said: “Soybean area is expected to increase as demand for…
Black Sea nations ally to clear mines
Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria have signed a memorandum of understanding to find and clear drifting sea mines in the Black Sea to facilitate safe transport of Ukrainian grain exports, Bloomberg reported. Mines drifting into specific areas of the Black Sea as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be the focus of the initiative led by Turkey. Russia and Ukraine are both major producers and exporters of grain, and the war increasingly has threatened the safe passage of shipments.
Brazil’s soybean production revised to lower.
Although Brazil’s latest soybean production forecast for the 2023-24 marketing year has been revised lower to 158.5 million tonnes, it still would top last year’s record total, if realized, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture. The previous projection in October was for a crop of 161 million tonnes — 3 million tonnes higher than in 2022-23 — but the FAS said poor weather resulting from El Niño has lowered expectations…
Brazil to expand share of global soybean trade
Brazil’s share of global soybean trade could increase to 60.6% by 2033, according to a study released last week by the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS).
Geopolitics’ impact on global grain market
When Russia signed an agreement in October to supply China with 70 million tonnes of grain, legumes and oilseeds over the next 12 years, a comment made several years ago by Stefan Vogel, Rabobank’s global sector strategist for grains and oilseeds, came to mind. Vogel, in a conversation with World Grain in the fall of 2021, said given the growing political tension between longtime agricultural trade partners China and the United States, it was possible that Russia, which is more…