Grain Highlights 31.05.2023

Safras&Mercado have raised their forecast for the 2022/23 corn production in Brazil by 6.7 million tons to 137 million tons (120.2 in 2021/22).

- According to SovEcon's forecast, wheat exports from Russia will reach 44.5 million tons in 2022/23 (+23% compared to 2021/22). As of May 1, 2023, wheat stocks held by the agricultural organizations of Russia are estimated at 12 million tons.

- The authorities in Kiev are considering the possibility of an agreement with Russia regarding the resumption of the work of the pipeline in front of Ukraine, which transports Russian ammonia. In return, a guarantee will be sought that the grain corridor will operate without difficulties.

- The European Commission has raised its forecast for the soft wheat production in the EU in 2023/24 by 1.4 million tons to 131.5 million tons, which is 5.8 million tons more than in 2022/23. In 2022/23, the ending stocks of common wheat in the EU will be 19.9 million tons (+0.3), and in 2023/24 they are expected at 23.9 million tons (+1.7). The corn production is projected to reach 64.1 million tons (-0.3), and ending corn stocks are estimated at 18.9 million tons (-0.3). Barley production is expected at 52 million tons and ending barley stocks will be 8.1 million tons.

- The European Commission has signaled that they will extend the ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products until October or until the end of the current year.

- According to USDA data, as of 05/28/2023, the sowing campaign of corn in the United States has been carried out on 92% of the planned areas (+11% for the last week, 84% last year and 84% average for the last five years). 69% of crops are in good and excellent condition (73% a year earlier). 83% of the planned areas (+17%, 64% and 65%) have been sown with soybeans. 34% of winter wheat crops are in good and excellent condition (31% a week earlier and +5% compared to last year). 85% of the planned areas are sown with spring wheat.

- Yesterday, Chicago commodity funds were net sellers of 7,500 contracts of corn, 13,500 contracts of soybeans and 9,500 contracts of wheat.

- Safras&Mercado have raised their forecast for the 2022/23 corn production in Brazil by 6.7 million tons to 137 million tons (120.2 in 2021/22). The second corn production will reach 97.8 million tons (+5.6 and 84.4) on areas of 21.1 million hectares (+0.4).

- According to an estimate by the General Company for Silos and Storage, as of 30.05.2023, the government of Egypt has purchased 3 million tons of wheat from local farmers. Purchases are planned to reach 4 million tons. Current wheat stocks in the country will ensure domestic consumption until the end of November.

- Egypt's state-owned company GASC has announced a tender for the purchase of 30,000 tons of soyoil and 10,000 tons of sunseed oil with delivery in July.