Grain Highlights 03.01.2023

StoneX has lowered its forecast for the soybean production in Brazil for 2023/24 to 152.8 million tons (from the previous estimate of 161.9 million).

- The new government of Poland will not lift the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain. Ukrainian grain will have to seek alternative routes for export outside the territory of Poland.

- In the first 11 months of 2023, Kazakhstan produced 2.797 million tons of wheat flour (+0.4% compared to 2022 – 2.785 million tons). In November, production was 292,800 tons (317,550).

- StoneX has lowered its forecast for the soybean production in Brazil for 2023/24 to 152.8 million tons (from the previous estimate of 161.9 million). The new forecast is no longer for at record level. Exports will be reduced to 95 million tons (from 103). The corn production will be 124.6 million tons (126), including a first corn production of 25.8 million tons (-2.4%) and a second corn production of 96.6 million tons (-0.8%).

- According to the forecast by hEDGEpoint Global Markets, during the current season, the increased demand for biodiesel consumption in Brazil will raise soybean demand for this industry by 5 million tons, reducing the soybean and soyoil exports. Soyoil exports will decrease by 0.8 – 1 million tons, while domestic consumption will increase by 0.2 – 0.4 million tons.

- In December, India increased palm oil imports to the highest level in the last 4 months. Purchases of palm oil reached 886,000 tons (+1.9% compared to November), and refined palm oil purchases reached 252,000 tons (+47%). Sunseed oil deliveries were 263,000 tons, the best performance in the last 3 months, and soyoil deliveries were 152,000 tons (+1.4%). Overall, deliveries of refined oils were 1.3 million tons (+13.3%).

- According to market operators, Taiwan has announced a tender to purchase 82,975 tons of milling wheat from the United States with delivery within February - March.