UN, Russian officials discuss grain exports
Talks aimed at providing Ukraine and Russia “unimpeded access” to global grain and fertilizer markets were held between the United Nations and Russian officials Oct. 9 in Moscow, Reuters reported. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said top UN trade official Rebeca Grynspan was in Moscow and UN aid chief Martin Griffiths joined the talks virtually.
More ships using Ukrainian seaports
Three ships left Ukrainian ports on Oct. 1, and five more ships are on their way to ports using a new corridor opened by Ukraine mainly for agricultural exports as an alternative to the Black Sea Grain Initiative quit by Russia, Reuters reported. “Five new vessels are waiting to be loaded in Ukrainian ports,” Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on the X social media platform. “Bulk carriers OLGA, IDA, DANNY BOY, FORZA DORIA, NEW LEGACY are going to…
Ukraine exports plunge by 51%
Ukraine grain exports from Sept. 1-24 fell by 51% compared with the same period in 2022, Reuters reported, citing data from Ukraine’s agriculture ministry. The war-torn country has seen its grain infrastructure under attack by Russia since it withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17. It exported 1.57 million tonnes of grain during the first...
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.
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…