US HRW wheat exports projected at record low
US Hard Red Winter (HRW) wheat exports are forecast to fall to their lowest level since the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) began tracking such data in 1973, according to a recent report from the Economic Research Service (ERS). In its monthly Wheat Outlook Report, released on Sept. 14, the ERS projected HRW exports to decline to 155 million tonnes, revised downward by 10 million tonnes from its August projection.
Poland to extend embargo of Ukraine grain
Poland announced on Sept. 12 that it will not lift its embargo of imports of Ukrainian grain this week as originally planned. Poland Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said resuming imports would hurt Polish farmers.
Argentina anticipates rebound in soybean crop
Argentina’s soybean crop is expected to rebound in the 2023-24 crop year to an estimated 50 million tonnes, up from 21 million tonnes last season, according to a Sept. 7 report from the Buenos Aires grain exchange. The country is a top exporter of processed soybeans and also a major corn and wheat supplier. A historic drought sharply reduced production last season.
Brazil overtakes US as top corn exporter
Brazil will overtake the United States as the world’s top corn exporter in the 2022-23 marketing year and is projected to be the leading exporter in 2023-24 as well, according to statistics from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture. The only other year in which Brazil topped the United States in corn exports was in 2012-13, a year in which a severe drought impacted US corn production.
Canada enters GM corn dispute
The Canadian government announced on Aug. 25 that it will participate as a third party in the dispute settlement proceedings between the United States and Mexico regarding the use of genetically modified corn in tortillas and dough. In a statement released on the Canadian government’s website, Lawrence MacAuley, minister of agriculture and food, and Mary Ng, minister of export promotion, international trade and economic development, said Canada sides with the United States regarding its stance on the issue.
Grain market review: Oilseeds
World oilseed prices rose in July after months of falls, with sunflower, notably, rising because of uncertainty over Black Sea shipments and new crop supplies looking tight ahead of harvest. Improving crop conditions in the first half of August in the United States triggered new declines, although it remains to be seen what impact the heatwave in the US Midwest in late August will have on the soybean crop. On Aug. 21, soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade…
Romania to boost Ukrainian grain exports
With additional staff and the completion of EU-funded infrastructure projects, Romania said it could double its monthly transit of Ukrainian grain to its Black Sea port of Constanta to 4 million tonnes in coming months, particularly via the Danube River, Reuters reported, citing Romania's minister of transport. Ukraine is one of the world’s top grain exporters, and Russia has been attacking its agricultural and port infrastructure after refusing to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations…
Brazil’s corn, and soybean estimates were revised higher
Brazil’s crop estimating agency, Conab, on Aug. 10 raised its official corn crop estimate for the current marketing year to a record 129.9 million tonnes, up 2.2 million from its previous estimate. The upward revision is due to safrinha corn production being higher than previously forecast. Conab also raised its 2022-23 corn exports forecast to 50 million tonnes, an increase of 2 million from its prior outlook.
Cargill revenues rise 7% to $177 billion
Excellent execution” and “customers’ partnerships” helped Cargill deliver an increase in revenues in the fiscal year ended May 31. At $177 billion, revenues were up 7% from fiscal 2022, the company noted in its annual report. Cargill said the rise in revenue in part reflected the benefit of several investments undertaken in 2023, including a new joint venture with Wayne-Sanderson Farms, which the company said positions it for growth in North American poultry. Additionally, Cargill acquired Owensboro Grain Co., which…
Russia’s gambit in Ukraine
Russia’s exit from the Black Sea grain deal, followed by barrages of strikes unleashed on ports in Odesa, the Mykolaiv River, and most recently, the Danube River, threatens to plunge the Ukrainian grain industry into chaos.