Country News
Argentina: Laborers in Rosario, Argentina’s main grain port, will begin a strike of indefinite length on Friday, according to Reuters. This strike is occurring at the peak harvest period for Argentina’s corn crop. The CGT labor organization has indicated that a decision will be made on Monday to determine if the strike will continue. The reasons for labor conflict behind the strike have not yet been defined, however, it is assumed to at least partially stem from the Gernal San Martin Port Service Cooperative’s request to enforce higher tariffs on grain exporters.
Canada: Recent heavy rains in Canada’s growing regions have rendered up to 4 million acres of cropland too wet to sow, according to Bloomberg News. This is expected to negatively impact Canada’s barley production this year.
Ukraine: Grain exports are exceeding last year’s totals, particularly as Ukraine seeks new buyers in China and the Middle East, reports Bloomberg News. 2014 corn exports through July 1 were 20 MMT, and totaled 13.4 MMT in 2013. Barley exports so far in 2014 have totaled 2.4 MMT, which is up from 2.1 this time in 2013. Total grain exports through July 1 were some 32.1 MMT.
South Africa: Yellow corn for December delivery in Africa’s largest corn producing country currently stands at $181/MT, reports Bloomberg News. South Africa is predicted to produce 13.9 MMT of corn this year, which would be country’s largest crop since 1981.