Grain Highlights 18.03.2024

The European Commission officially proposed easing the requirements for farmers regarding green policy. Farmers will not be obligated to leave uncultivated land.

- During the past week, 501,300 tons of wheat were exported from the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which is 11,200 tons less than the previous week. Shipments to Egypt amounted to 126,000 tons of wheat, while Sudan received 70,500 tons, Tanzania 58,200 tons.

- From March 1st to 15th, Ukraine exported 3.4 million tons of agricultural products, including 2.95 million tons (87.3%) through maritime corridors. In February, the share of maritime exports was 87%, and in January, 86.2%.

- The European Commission officially proposed easing the requirements for farmers regarding green policy. Farmers will not be obligated to leave uncultivated land; however, voluntary efforts will be rewarded with assistance. Rules regarding crop rotation will be relaxed, allowing for diversification instead. Farmers cultivating up to 10 hectares will be exempt from compliance requirements, representing 65% of supported farmers in the EU.

- The European Commission, together with several member state governments, is discussing the possibility of restricting the import of Russian agricultural products into the EU. This move aims to protect the interests of farmers in the Union from unfair competition.

- According to Oil World data, rapeseed processing in the EU reached a record 6.67 million tons from October to December (+0.2 compared to 2022/23). Processing for the first half of the season was 12.8 million tons (+0.65%). Processing from January to June 2024 is expected to be between 11.9 and 12 million tons.

- According to USDA data as of March 10, 2024, in Kansas, 53% of winter wheat crops were in good or excellent condition (17% higher than last year and 35% higher than the five-year average), as well as 73% of the crops in Louisiana (64% and 52%), 64% in Mississippi (57% and 52%), 65% in Oklahoma (28% and 47%), and 44% in Texas (17% and 23%).

- Agroconsult forecasts corn production in Brazil for 2023/24 at 123.4 million tons (-5.3 compared to the previous estimate and 131.9 in 2022/23). Exports are expected to reach 41.2 million tons, corn consumption for ethanol production is projected to reach 17.3 million tons, and feed consumption is expected at 60.5 million tons.

- Safras&Mercado forecasts soybean production in Brazil for 2023/24 at 148.6 million tons (149.076 in the February estimate and 157.83 in 2022/23).

- Soybean processing in the United States reached 5.06 million tons in February (5.05 in January), a record for the month.

- According to Grain Exchange data in Buenos Aires as of January 13, 2024, 229,000 hectares of corn were harvested in Argentina for the 2023/24 season, which is 3% of the areas (+1% for the week and 7% on average for the last five years). 1.99 million tons of corn were harvested with an average yield of 8.71 tons per hectare. 25% of the crops are in good or excellent condition (29% the previous week).

- Oil World forecasts that from April to September, South America's soyoil exports will increase by 0.6 million tons to 4.7 million tons. Argentina's exports will be 3.07 million tons (2.27 million tons earlier), Brazil's exports are estimated at 1.25 million tons (1.38), and Paraguay's soyoil exports are expected at 329,000 tons. South America's soyoil exports to India will be 2.1-2.2 million tons (+0.4%).

- The government of India plans to purchase 33.5 million tons of wheat from local farmers (26.2 million tons earlier). Authorities expect a wheat production of 112 million tons for 2023/24 (110.55), while other analysts project 107-108 million tons. Wheat stocks in the country as of March 1, 2024, were 9.68 million tons, the lowest since 2018.

- Taiwan has purchased 97,950 tons of wheat from the United States with delivery between May 9 and June 23, 2024.

- Algeria is seeking to purchase at least 50,000 tons of soft wheat and at least 50,000 tons of durum wheat with delivery in April.