Grain Highlights 07.05.2023

According to Rusagrotrans data, 4.4 million tons of wheat were exported from Russia in April (4.74 in the previous estimate).

- According to Rusagrotrans data, 4.4 million tons of wheat were exported from Russia in April (4.74 in the previous estimate). In May, exports are expected to reach 4.1 million tons, which will be another monthly record (3.2 million tons in 2018 is the current best).

- Over the period of January - March, the export of soyoil from Russia reached 188,000 tons (-21% compared to the previous year). The largest customers were Algeria with 82,000 tons (63,000), Egypt with 59,000 tons (66,000) and China with 26,000 tons.

- Over the week of May 12-16, the export tax on Russian wheat will be 5,279.2 rubles/ton (5,573.2 a week earlier). The export tax on barley will be 2,676.2 rubles/ton (2,195.4) and it will be 2,523.9 rubles/ton on corn (3,000).

- By May 4, 2023, 2.32 million hectares were sown with spring cereals in Ukraine, including 236,000 hectares with spring wheat, 712,100 hectares with spring barley, 1.059 million hectares with corn. 1.485 million hectares were sown with sunseed, and 173,600 hectares with soybeans.

- From the beginning of the season to 05.05.2023, 42.477 million tons of cereals were exported from Ukraine (590,000 in May), including wheat exports of 14.571 million tons (172,000), barley exports of 2.474 million tons (9,000) and corn exports of 25.106 million tons (408,000).

- Chicago commodity funds were net buyers of 1,875 wheat contracts and net sellers of 7,500 corn and 250 soybean contracts yesterday.

- According to data from the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange, as of 05/03/2023, the harvesting campaign of corn in Argentina has been carried out on 19.7% of the areas (+2% for the week, 25% a year earlier and 30% on average for the last five years). 6.2 million tons of grain were harvested with an average yield of 4.5 tons/hectare. Of the remaining areas, only 4% are in good and excellent condition (5% a week earlier and 16% a year earlier). The corn production forecast remains unchanged at 36 million tons (52 in 2021/22).

- In April, palm oil stocks in Malaysia decreased to the lowest level for the last 11 months – 1.51 million tons. Production during the period was 1.3 million tons (+0.9%) – highest level for the last three months. Palm oil exports increased by 19.3% to 1.2 million tons.