Country News
China: The China National Grain and Oils Information Center (CNGOIC) reports that companies have ordered more than 20 cargoes (1.2 MMT) of corn, mostly from Ukraine, for shipment in the first quarter of the year. (ThomsonReuters)
India: The attempt to import corn after 16 years appears successful as a 225,000 MT contract was awarded to Daewoo. (WPI)
Iraq: FAO reports a 10 percent decline in barley production, but when compared to the five-year average, production is up five percent. (FAO)
Russia: Deputy Minister of Agriculture Yevgeniy Gromyko announced that the ministry is considering possible introduction of an export duty for corn and barley.
South Africa: Grain SA reports that the country has had the least amount of rain since 1904, and while South Africa’s Crop Estimates Committee believes that corn production will hit 7.44 MMT, many private analysts say it will be closer to 6.1 MMT. (Bloomberg)
Zimbabwe: The government secured a $200 million line of credit from the Afreximbank for the purchase of corn, which could amount to 700 KMT. (Reuters)