Grain Highlights 13.02.2023

Algeria has bought 40,000 tons of milling wheat at a price of 338 USD/ton C&F most likely from Russia, Romania or Bulgaria with delivery within March-April.

- Over the period February 1-10, the export of grain from Russia reached 1,238 million tons (445 thousand tons a year earlier), including wheat exports 1.014 million tons (+76%), corn exports of 165,000 tons (+18%), barley exports of 59,400 tons (-3.4%).

- In February, the export of wheat from Russia will be 3.8 million tons (4 in the previous estimate), according to Rusagrotrans' forecast. As of 01.01.2023, wheat stocks in Russia are at a record high of 36 million tons (1.6 times more than the previous year and 29 million tons in the previous record of 2018).

- Over the period of February 01 – 12, the export of sunseed oil from the Russian port of Novorossiysk reached 25,000 tons, with the entire amount sent to India. A year earlier, the export was 51,600 tons, including 40,000 tons for India.

- In their February report USDA analysts forecast exports of sunseed oil from Ukraine in 2022/23 of 3.85 million tons (+200,000), sunseed meal exports of 3.2 million tons (+300,000) and sunseed exports of 2.65 million tons (+200,000). In 2022/23, sunseed oil production will be 4.3 million tons (+215,000), and sunseed meal production is projected at 4.13 million tons (+205,000).

- The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange lowered its forecast for the 2022/23 soybean production in Argentina by 3 million tons to 38 million tons, which is 5.3 million tons below the 2021/22 forecast. As of 02.02.2023, 52% of crops are in good and excellent condition (-2% for the week and 92% a year earlier).

- According to ABS data, 1.06 million tons of feed barley were exported from Australia in December 2022 (471,000 in November). The major buyers were Saudi Arabia with 534,700 tons (263,600), Japan with 178,300 tons (30,500), Iran with 64,300 tons, Qatar with 60,500 tons and UAE with 52,200 tons. Exports of malting barley in December were 21,900 tons (104,400), and sorghum exports were 47,800 tons (106,700).

- According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, palm oil stocks in Malaysia increased by 2.27 million tons in January, which is 3.26% more than in December. Palm oil production during the month decreased by 14.7% to 1.38 million tons, which is the lowest level for the last 11 months. Exports reached 1.14 million tons (-23%) – the weakest indicator since April 2022.

- Algeria has bought 40,000 tons of milling wheat at a price of 338 USD/ton C&F most likely from Russia, Romania or Bulgaria with delivery within March-April.