Grain Highlights 18.09.2023

In 2023/24, sunseed oil production in Russia is projected to reach 7 million tons according to ProZerno's forecast.

In 2023/24, sunseed oil production in Russia is projected to reach 7 million tons according to ProZerno's forecast. The export is expected to be 4.2 - 4.4 million tons. Sunseed production is set to reach 16.6 million tons (16.4 in 2022).

As of September 15, 2023, in Russia, 36.5 million hectares of grain crops have been harvested (compared to 40.5 million in 2022), with a total production of 119.8 million tons in bunker weight (compared to 137.2 million), including 86.5 million tons of wheat (100.3 million) with an average yield of 3.61 tons per hectare (3.69), and 20.5 million tons of barley (23.9 million) with an average yield of 2.94 tons per hectare (3.04).

According to data from APK-Inform, sunseed processing in Ukraine reached 13.9 million tons in 2022/23 (+20% compared to 2021/22 and +4% compared to 2020/21). In 2023/24, the sunseed production is expected to reach 13.4 million tons (+7% compared to 2022/23), while processing will be 12.4 million tons (-11%).

In the first 11 months of 2022/23, Ukraine exported 26.6 million tons of corn, with 64% through the grain corridor. During the same period in 2021/22, exports were 24 million tons. The largest buyer is China with a 21% share, followed by Romania at 15% and Spain at 11%. Total exports for the season are expected to reach 27.3 million tons (27 in 2021/22). The forecast for 2023/24 is 19 million tons.

The European Commission has allowed the import of Ukrainian products into the EU after September 15, 2023. However, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia have imposed national bans on imports.

In August, the United States processed 4.39 million tons of soybeans (-6.3% compared to July and -2.5% compared to August 2022).

Analysts from the Rosario Grain Exchange predict that the wheat production in Argentina for 2023/24 will be 16.5 million tons (up from the previous estimate of 15 million). 24% of the crops are in good or excellent condition (+5.7% for the week due to abundant rainfall). Sowing campaign of corn for the 2023/24 crop has been completed on 2.2% of the planned 7.3 million hectares, with an expected production of 55 million tons (58).

The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange reports that the 2022/23 harvesting has been 100% completed, with a total of 34 million tons of grain harvested (-35% compared to 2021/22), the lowest figure from 2014/15 to date. For 2023/24, the production is expected to reach 55 million tons.

According to Chinese customs services, in August, China imported 1.2 million tons of corn (-33% compared to August 2022), 840,000 tons of wheat (+58%), and 380,000 tons of barley (+54%). During the period from January to August, corn imports amounted to 14.9 million tons (-12%), wheat imports were 9.6 million tons (+53%), and barley imports reached 6.2 million tons (+53%).

Algeria has announced a tender for the import of wheat and barley with delivery within November - December.