Grain Highlights 09.10.2023

Rusagrotrans forecasts a sunseed production in Russia in 2023 of 16.98 million tons (+0.28 compared to the previous estimate and 16.36 in 2022)

According to SovEcon, in October, Russia's wheat exports are expected to reach 3.9 - 4.4 million tons (compared to 4.5 in October 2022, 5 in September 2023, and 5.3 in August 2023).

Rusagrotrans forecasts a sunseed production in Russia in 2023 of 16.98 million tons (+0.28 compared to the previous estimate and 16.36 in 2022), and a soybean production of 6.47 million tons (+0.36 and 6), which is a new record for the country. The rapeseed production is expected at 4 million tons (+0.1 and 4.51).

During the past week, 460,000 tons of grain were exported from the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which is 90,000 tons more than the previous week. The entire exported quantity is wheat, with 117,000 tons sent to Iran, 94,000 tons to Egypt, 57,000 tons to Yemen, 52,000 tons to Turkey, and others.

According to data from FranceAgriMer as of October 2, 2023, in France, 27% of corn areas have been harvested (+15% for the week, 64% compared to the previous year, and 34% on average for the last five years). Winter wheat has been sown on 2% of the planned areas, and winter barley on 5%.

During the first nine months of 2023, 18.1 million tons of grain were transported along the Mississippi River, which is 35% less than the previous year and 53% below the five-year average. Nearly 60% of US grain exports are transported through this waterway.

Despite the drought in Argentina, the Rosario Grain Exchange maintains its forecast for the 2023/24 wheat production in the country at 15 million tons (+2.4 compared to 2022/23). The corn production estimate remains unchanged at 56 million tons (+22).

According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in August, Australia exported 2.18 million tons of wheat (compared to 2.48 million tons in July). The largest customers were Indonesia with 767,500 tons, China with 339,800 tons, and Vietnam with 230,000 tons.

During the period from January to September, biodiesel consumption in Indonesia reached 8.5 million kiloliters. The total consumption for 2023 is expected to be 11.5 million kiloliters. In August, the country introduced a B35 biodiesel mandate, previously having a B30 mandate.