Grain Highlights 29.02.2024

According to SovEcon, Russia's wheat exports in February are expected to be 3.8 million tons (compared to 3 in February 2023 and an average of 2.6 for the month a year ago).

- According to the latest data from Rosstat, the grain production in Russia in 2023 was 144.9 million tons (compared to the previous estimate of 142.6 and 157.6 in 2022). The wheat production reached 92.8 million tons (104.2 the previous year), corn production was 16.6 million tons (14.4 and 15.8), oilseed production reached 29.86 million tons (29.1 in 2022), sunseed production reached 17.25 million tons (16.4), soybean production  was 6.8 million tons (6), and rapeseed production reached 4.2 million tons (4.5).

- According to SovEcon, Russia's wheat exports in February are expected to be 3.8 million tons (compared to 3 in February 2023 and an average of 2.6 for the month a year ago). The monthly indicator is expected to be a record high, surpassing the previous best performance in February 2021 of 3.6 million tons.

- According to CNGOIC data for the period February 17-23, soybean processing in China reached 1.1 million tons (+43% compared to the previous two weeks, which included the Chinese New Year, and -40% compared to the previous year). As of February 23, 2024, soymeal stocks in the country reached 590,000 tons (-16% and -5%), soyoil stocks were 830,000 tons (-2% and +8%), and soybean stocks reached 6.1 million tons.

- According to GAPKI, palm oil production in Indonesia is expected to reach 57.6 million tons in 2024 (+5% compared to 2023), with exports projected to be 32-33 million tons (32.2 in 2023 and 32.2 in 2022).

- In the upcoming season, authorities in India plan to purchase 30-32 million tons of wheat from the local market. The expected wheat production in 2023/24 is 114-115 million tons. The procurement campaign usually starts in April, but this year it will begin in March to facilitate farmers.

- A group of market operators from Thailand has purchased 60,000 tons of feed wheat, most likely from Germany, Romania, and Bulgaria. ADM is the supplier, with a price of 248.50 USD/ton C&F and a delivery period of April 15 to May 15, 2024.

- Jordan has purchased 60,000 tons of feed barley, most likely from Russia, at a price of 219.50 USD/ton C&F, with delivery scheduled for the end of May. Other sale offers have been at prices ranging from 225 to 231 USD/ton.

- According to the SES forecast for 2023/24, the corn production in South Africa is expected to reach 14.36 million tons (compared to 16.43 in 2022/23). The production of white corn is expected at 7.04 million tons, and yellow corn production will be 7.32 million tons.

- In 2023, Russia exported 3.8 million tons of oil, 8.5 million tons of mineral fertilizers, and 840,000 tons of wheat to Brazil.