Country News
Argentina: Drought replaced by excessive wetness will cause late corn seeding. Some dry spots persist but encompass less than 10 percent of the corn area. (Reuters)
Brazil: It remains dry in the northern part of the country but rains are benefiting the larger corn production areas in Central Brazil. Favorable conditions for corn are expected to persist over the next two weeks. (Reuters)
China: The cost of sorghum, DDGS and other animal feed ingredients have risen recently, hurting the profits of pig farmers already finding greater competition from poultry. Meanwhile, to drive down the large stockpiles of corn, the state grain bureau says it will support its increased use in feed, ethanol and biodegradable plastic. The Ministry of Finance announced it may adjust import tariffs on ethanol. (Reuters)
Russia: The agriculture agency Rosselkhoznadzor announced that 227 KMT of corn have been shipped to Japan thus far this season, versus just 13 KMT the whole of last year. (Bloomberg)
South Africa: The corn crop will benefit from an expected upturn in rains next week. (Reuters)