Country News
Brazil: Corn sales were 12 percent higher in March and are on a pace slightly ahead of last year. The price being received for corn is up 8 percent to $211/MT.
East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda have been gradually removing a tax on animal feed ingredients such as corn to spur the production of livestock products. (USDA/FAS; World Grain)
Indonesia: An increase in the sowing area will cause a 500 KMT increase in corn production to 12 MMT in 2018/19 but demand is rising even faster prompting a 100 KMT increase in imports to 600 KMT. The country lacks sufficient, drying and storage facilities, plus has other infrastructure deficits. It also lacks sufficient arable land. (USDA/FAS)
Japan: Corn imports will reach 15.3 MMT in 2018-19 as lower prices are spurring increased feed demand. (USDA/FAS)
Russia: At 4.41 MMT, barley exports thus far this marketing year are up 97 percent. Meanwhile, corn exports at 3.98 MMT are up 2.3 percent relative to the same point last marketing year. (AgriCensus)
South Africa: Grains SA reports that rain is helping late planted corn while early planted corn is showing some damage from the dry conditions that prevailed heretofore. There remains a wide spread in projected corn exports with USDA suggesting they will be 1.5 MMT but local estimates pegging it at 3.7 MMT; much will depend on the actual impact of the earlier dry conditions. Meanwhile, corn area may lose out to increased soybean production given its greater profitability. (USDA/FAS; AgriCensus)