Market Perspectives – March 14, 2019

Country News

Argentina: Corn basis firmed as rain slowed logistics and thus port arrivals. (AgriCensus)

Brazil: CONAB raised its estimate for the second crop of corn by 1.3 MMT to 66.596 MMT and now places total annual production at 92.807 after adjusting the first crop slightly lower. Exports are unchanged. (Reuters)

South Korea: Nonghyup Feed Inc. (NOFI), which has now bought 2 MMT in a month, made its most recent purchase of corn at sub-$190/MT and is tendering for 69 KMT more. KOKOPIA snubbed Ukraine by buying U.S. corn at $208.88/MMT. (AgriCensus; Reuters)

Taiwan: MFIG has issued a tender to purchase around 65 KMT of corn. (Reuters)

Tunisia: The state grain buying agency, Organization of Consumer Protection, has tendered for feed barley and other grains. (AgriCensus)

Turkey: State buying agency TMO purchased 300 KMT of corn at discount. (AgriCensus)

Ukraine: After producing around 35 MMT of corn, exports are up 70.3 percent. Now agro-holdings are considering storing the remainder due to low world prices but more likely will trickle out the remaining supply ahead of the new crop. A mild winter and early spring will make an early start on planting the next crop of corn estimated to be 29-30 MMT. (AgriCensus)

Vietnam: Corn prices have fallen as AFS has reduced feed demand. (AgriCensus)