Grain Highlights 17.04.2023

17 Apr, 2023
Grain Highlights 17.04.2023
Hungary, Slovakia and Poland have introduced a temporary ban on the import of Ukrainian grain until 30.06.2023. Transit of Ukrainian production through both countries is permitted. Bulgaria is considering a temporary ban on Ukrainian production.

- According to Rusagrotrans, wheat exports from Russia will reach 4.64 million tons in April (4.54 in the previous estimate and 4.8 in March). Over the period of April 1-13, the export of wheat from Russia was 1.85 million tons.

- During the week of April 10-16, 407,000 tons of grain were exported from the Russian port of Novorossiysk, including wheat exports of 356,000 tons, barley exports of 25,000 tons and peas exports of 25,000 tons. 100,000 tons of wheat were sent to Iran, 78,000 tons to Turkey and 63,000 tons to Egypt. A week earlier, 565,000 tons of wheat were exported.

- FranceAgriMer has lowered its forecast for soft wheat exports from France to countries outside the EU in 2022/23 from 10.45 million tons to 10.4 million tons (8.8 in 2021/22). The largest customer of French wheat remains Morocco with 2.38 million tons, followed by Algeria with 1.66 million tons, China with 1.02 million tons and Egypt with 922,000 tons. 6.43 million tons of wheat will be exported to EU countries (6.51 in the previous estimate). Ending stocks of common wheat in France will be 2.6 million tons (-0.2 compared to 2021/22). Barley exports to EU countries will be 1.3 million tons (-0.2 and +0.2), and ending corn stocks are projected to reach 2.2 million tons (2.3).

- China's Ministry of Agriculture has published a three-year plan to reduce the consumption of soymeal in feed from 14.5% in 2022 to 13 in 2025. Soybean protein will be replaced with artificial or human food waste. A pilot project has been launched in 20 major Chinese cities.

- The retreat of La Niña and the onset of El Niño will reduce rainfall in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and eastern Australia. Since the beginning of 2023, rainfall in these areas has dropped significantly.

- According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 597,770 tons of canola were exported from Australia in February (713,200 in January and 608,500 in February 2022). 194,900 tons were sent to Belgium, 148,100 tons to the Netherlands and 89,100 tons to Japan.

- Malaysia's palm oil export tax remained unchanged at 8% in May, according to data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.

- Jordan has bought 60,000 tons (most likely Romanian) wheat with delivery within September 16 – 30 and at a price of 303.30 USD/ton C&F. Russian wheat was offered at 275 USD/ton FOB or 310 USD/ton C&F.

- Egypt is looking to buy 30,000 tons of soybean oil and 10,000 tons of sunflower oil for delivery 05/25 – 06/15/2023. 1,000 tons of soybean oil and 500 tons of sunflower oil will be purchased from the domestic market.

- According to data from market operators, Algeria bought 400,000 – 450,000 tons of durum wheat most likely from Mexico and Canada at prices of 412 – 430 USD/ton C&F and May – June delivery.