- IKAR lowers its forecast for grain production in Russia for 2024/25 from 146 million tons to 142 million tons, including wheat production of 91 million tons (previously 93). Export estimates are reduced to 64.8 million tons (previously 68), with wheat exports at 50.5 million tons (previously 52). In 2023, Russia's grain production was 144.9 million tons, including 92.8 million tons of wheat, 21.1 million tons of barley, and 16.6 million tons of corn.

- In May, wheat exports from Russia are expected to reach 4.2 million tons, close to the current record set in May 2023 at 4.3 million tons. In April 2024, exports reached 4.65 million tons (previously 4.55).

- From May 8th to 14th, the export tax on Russian wheat will be 3,277.7 rubles/ton (previously 3,386). The export tax on barley will be 0 rubles/ton (previously 153.6), and corn remains duty-free.

- According to Ukraine's Ministry of Agriculture forecast, wheat exports for 2024/25 will be 14 million tons (18 in 2023/24), and barley exports are expected at 3 million tons, unchanged. The total grain production is estimated to reach 52 million tons (previously 58), including corn production of 27 million tons, wheat production of 19 million tons, and barley production of 5 million tons. In 2023/24, the wheat production was 22.2 million tons, corn production reached 30.5 million tons, and barley production was 5.7 million tons.

- From July 1, 2023, to May 3, 2024, Ukraine exported 41.607 million tons of grain (41.906 the previous year). Exported were 15.848 million tons of wheat, 2.205 million tons of barley, and 23.704 million tons of corn.

- As of May 2, 2024, in Ukraine, 240,700 hectares of spring wheat were sown (97.8% of the plan), spring barley areas reach 775,700 hectares (94.8%), corn has been sown on 1.961 million hectares (3.912), sunseed areas reach 2.968 million hectares (56%), and soybeans have been sown on 566,700 hectares (28%).

- From July 2023 to February 2024, Kazakhstan exported 54,000 tons of sunseed meal to the EU (23,560 the previous year). The largest recipients were Finland with 2,500 tons, Latvia with 2,410 tons, Estonia with 1,950 tons, Germany with 1,570 tons, and Lithuania with 1,000 tons. Before Kazakhstan, the largest suppliers of sunseed meal to the EU were Ukraine, Argentina, Russia, and Moldova.

- As of April 29, 2024, in France, 45% of the planned corn areas were sown (25% in 2023 and 70% on average for the last five years). Delay is due to prolonged rainfall. 63% of the winter wheat crops are in good and excellent condition (93% in 2023), as well as 66% of hard winter wheat crops (88%), and 66% of winter barley crops (92%).

- According to USDA data, in March in the US, 11.9 million tons of corn were used for ethanol production (+5% compared to February and +7% compared to March 2023). Soy processing was 5.54 million tons (+0.27 and +0.16%).

- In April, soy exports from Brazil reached 13.62 million tons (13.56 in March and 13.96 in April 2023) according to Sagras & Mercado. Year-to-date exports reached 39.06 million tons (+2%).

- According to FAS USDA forecast for 2024/25, wheat production in Australia will be 25.8 million tons (-0.2 compared to 2023/24). Sowing takes place in May-June, and harvesting begins in October. Exports for the new season are projected to reach 17.5 million tons (-2.5). Barley production will be 10.9 million tons (+0.1), with exports at 5 million tons (-2).

- In April, palm oil deliveries to India reached 682,000 tons, a 41% increase from March. Imports in May will reach 700,000 tons, achieved with a decrease in sunseed oil imports to 233,000 tons (-48% compared to March). Soymeal imports in April were 391,000 tons (+79%), a ten-month high.

- Algeria has purchased 200,000 tons of hard wheat, most likely from France, at a price of 249 - 250 USD/ton C&F.

- Jordan has announced a tender for the purchase of 120,000 tons of milling wheat of unspecified origin, with delivery within June-July.