The current campaign has seen Indian farmers sow 637.3 mln decares of grain, which is 6.2% higher than the previous year. Wheat areas grew up to 315.6 mln decares (292.5) whereas grain and beans grew up to 159.3 mln decares (143.1).

12.7 mln decares were damaged by the heavy rain in Argentina including 6.5 mln decares of soybean and 1.6 mln decares of corn. Despite the floodings, there are some very dry areas in the south of the country.

Canada exported 19.9 mln tons of grain during the first 24 weeks of the current season (August – July), which is 2% lower than the previous year, Canadian Grain Commission reports. Soft wheat export reached 6.4 mln tons (-18%) while hard wheat reached 1.8 mln tons (+10%). Canola export grew by 4% up to 4.7 mln tons; soybean export grew by 17% up to 2.9 mln tons while peas export grew by 30% up to 1.9 mln tons.

Soybean meal export from China went down to 92,000 tons in December 2016 compared with 161,000 tons exported in December 2015, Oil World reported. 62,000 tons of soybean meal were exported to Japan during the month (110,000) with 18,000 tons exported to the EU (22,000) and 1,000 tons to Vietnam (7,000). Demand for soybean meal in China is on the increase following the import restriction of DDGS form the USA. Soybean meal export from China was 1.9 mln tons (1.7) in 2016 including 1.17 mln tons (1.2) to Japan, 249,000 tons (108,000) to Vietnam and 205,000 tons (157,000) to the EU.

Latest reports from South Africa’s Committee on Grain Crops Estimation say that corn areas will reach 25.5 mln decares in 2017, which is 0.9 mln decares more than the previous estimation and 31% more than 2016. White corn areas will grow by 53% up to 15.6 mln decares (+1) compared with the previous year. Yellow corn areas will only grow by 6% up to 9.92 mln decares, which is a little lower than the initial estimation.

11% of soybean areas in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso have been harvested so far compared with the 15% expected. Delay was caused by the heavy rain. Yield went down to 51.3 bushels/acre compared with 54.8 bushels/acre before the rain. Crop diseases appear. Rain will decrease at the weekend which will improve the situation.

Indonesia will increase palm oil export tax in February from the currently standing 3 USD/ton up to 18 USD/ton. The higher export tax will be valid for palm oil export price of 800 to 850 USD/ton. This measure will stimulate producers to sell their produce at the domestic market for biodiesel production.

Kazakhstan exported 2.17 mln tons of flour in the first eleven months of 2016, which is 37.9% more than the corresponding period of 2015. Afghanistan was the biggest client with 1.32 mln tons of flour and a 60.9% share followed by Uzbekistan with a 38.3% share and 661,400 tons of flour.

Buenos Aires Grain Stock Exchange report that Argentinian farmers have had 98.3% of the planned corn areas sowed, which is 49 mln decares compared with 38.5 mln decares a year earlier.

Jordan announced an auction for the purchase of 25,000 tons of random milling wheat tobe delivered between March 1 and March 25.

Ukraine exported 4.09 mln tons of barley during the first half of 2016 – 2017 (July – December), which is 4.4% higher than the previous year. Saudi Arabia imported 40% of the whole Ukrainian export compared with 53% a year earlier. Libya bought 750,000 tons of barley, which is 68% higher than the previous year. Jordan bought 225,000 tons of barley during the period compared with 86,000 a year earlier.