7. Country News
Argentina: About 60 percent of the central farm belt received ample rains last weekend. Although Eduardo Sierra of the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange says it “did not totally solve the [moisture] problem,” it provided enough for continued planting. More rains are in the forecast. (Reuters)
Brazil: The grain agency Conab predicts that Brazil’s corn output will be 5 MMT lower this year than in 2016-17. Output is forecast at 92.2 MMT. (Reuters)
China: Heilongjiang is China’s largest corn producing province and it has cut production area by nearly one million hectares this year. Overall corn production area in China is down 1.33 million hectares in 2017, though earlier this month the Ministry of Agriculture raised its corn production forecast for 2017/18 crop year to 116 MMT. (Reuters)
Myanmar: After suspending corn imports earlier this year following imposition of new pest risk analysis requirements, Myanmar’s Plant Protection Division has now accepted the submissions made by the U.S. and is again allowing imports from the U.S. Myanmar’s livestock sector is expanding and its imports of corn and DDGS are expected to grow as a result. (Reuters)
Russia: After receiving a request from Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister Sergei Levin, Saudi officials are now allowing two Russian companies to register and compete on import tenders for barley. (Bloomberg)