Grain Highlights 06.01.2023

According to the latest analysts' estimates, the wheat production in Australia will reach a record 42 million tons given the higher than expected yields at the end of the campaign.

- Over the period of July - December, 28.5 million tons of grain were exported from Russia (+5.6% compared to the previous year - 27 and 32 in 2020/21) according to IKAR data. Wheat exports were 23.5 million tons (21.6 and 26.7), barley exports were 3.1 million tons (+0.6) and corn exports reached 0.8 million tons (1.4).

- As of 05.01.2023 in Ukraine, 10.7 million hectares were harvested with grain crops (93% of the planned areas), and 49.5 million tons of grain were harvested at an average yield of 4.64 tons/hectare. Corn was harvested on 81% of the areas, with 22.1 million tons of corn harvested at an average yield of 6.48 tons/hectare. Sunseed has been harvested on 99% of the areas and 10.5 million tons of sunseed were harvested with an average yield of 2.17 tons/hectare. The soybean production reached 3.7 million tons.

- According to data from the European Commission, as of 01.01.2023, 14.66 million tons of corn were delivered to the EU (7.33 a year earlier). During the week of 26.12.2022 - 01.01.2023, the import was 481,300 tons (668,500). Brazil bought 6.8 million tons of grain (3.07) and Ukraine purchased 6.7 million tons (+126%).

- Chicago commodity funds were net sellers of 6,500 soybeans and 2,000 corn contracts and net buyers of 500 wheat contracts on Thursday.

- According to an estimate by Statistics Canada, in the first 5 months of 2022/23 (August - December), 20.67 million tons of grain were exported from the country, which is 34.6% more than the previous year (15.3). Wheat exports were 8.1 million tons (4.9), durum export reached 1.94 million tons (1.18), barley exports were 1.57 million tons (1.48) and corn exports totaled 563,600 tons (511.90). The export of canola was 3.5 million tons (2.9), and soybean exports were 2.5 million tons (2.3).

- According to Anec data, 1.51 million tons of soybeans were exported from Brazil in December 2022 (1.92 in November and 2.53 in December 2021). For the whole of 2022, soybean exports totaled 77.8 million tons (86.6 in 2021). In December, the export of soymeal was 1.37 million tons (1.35 and 1.54), and total exports for the year reach 20.42 million tons (+3.54). The export of corn in December was 5.83 million tons (5.39 and 3.32), 43.16 million tons for the year (20.61). Wheat exports in December were 689,250 tons (116,810 and 538,640) and total wheat exports for the year reached 3.2 million tons (1.1). Main buyers of Brazilian corn are Iran with 15% share, Japan with 12%, Spain with 11% and Egypt with 9%. The main buyers of wheat are Saudi Arabia with 20%, Indonesia with 20%, Sudan with 10%, Vietnam with 10% and Morocco with 8%.

- According to data from the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange, as of January 4, 2023, the 2022/23 wheat harvesting campaign in Argentina has ended. 99.5% of the areas (5.42 million hectares) were harvested, and 12.3 million tons of grain were harvested with an average yield of 2.3 tons/hectare (22.4 in 2021/22). Farmers have started the harvesting campaign of sunseed, with 6% of the area already sown. 78% of crops are in good and excellent condition (77% a week earlier and 93% a year earlier). 70% of the planned areas (+7% and 77%) have been sown with corn, and 68% of the crops are in good and excellent condition (72% a week earlier). Soy has been sown on 82% of the planned areas (94% last year), and 62% of the crops are in good and excellent condition (72% a week earlier).

- According to the latest analysts' estimates, the wheat production in Australia will reach a record 42 million tons given the higher than expected yields at the end of the campaign. In Western Australia, wheat production is projected at 16 million tons, up from 13 million tons in the previous estimate. Record exports are expected in the coming months. Australian feed wheat is now available at 290 USD/ton FOB, standard wheat is priced at 300 USD/ton FOB and premium white wheat is at 320-325 USD/ton FOB.

- Tunisia bought 100,000 tons of mill wheat of any origin at USD 351.86 – 353.89/ton C&F and delivery within January – March. 75,000 tons of feed barley were also purchased at a price of 318.05 – 320.05 USD/ton C&F with the same delivery period.