Country News
Argentina: Corn exports in April surged to 4.15 MMT. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange kept the corn forecast stable as farmers brace for rain. (AgriCensus)
Brazil: The state’s Institute of Agricultural Economics (IMEA) says that farmers continue to prioritize sales of corn over soybeans. Despite what could be a record 100 MMT of corn production, sales are running 5 percent ahead of last year at this time. Corn prices are running $154.55/MT versus $164.78/MT last month and an average $174.77/MT in the first quarter. (AgriCensus)
China: The Fall armyworm has expanded its range into Sichuan province. The Chinese Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates predicts 3 MMT of corn imports in 2019/20. The estimate for corn imports in 2018/19 was raised by 1 MMT to 2.5 MMT. Meanwhile, the government kicked off this year’s corn auction by offering 4 MMT for sale. (Reuters; AgriCensus)
EU: France Agrimer says that farmers will increase their area sown to maize as production of rapeseed and sugar beets decreases. Maize area is predicted to increase by 4.9 percent from 2018 to hit 1.43 million hectares, but sowing has been slowed in May due to cold weather. French consumer demand for sweet corn is growing with the hurdle being the perception that it is not a vegetable. (Reuters; Fresh Plaza; AgriCensus)
India: India imported 27 KMT of non-GMO corn from Ukraine at $205/MT. That brings the total for the year to 84 KMT, just shy of the 100 KMT authorized by the government at a reduced 15 percent duty. State trading company MMTC has been challenged in its procurement due to the 100 percent non-GMO mandate and has again delayed a corn tender deadline, this time to 22 May. India had been a corn exporter, but domestic demand and production shortfalls have required imports. (Reuters)
South Africa: The maize harvest pace will pick up speed as weather for May is forecast to be warm and dry. (Reuters; AgriCensus)
South Korea: KOCOPIA bought corn from Cofco and NOFI bought feed wheat. Some corn has been bought privately rather than through a tender. (AgriCensus)
Ukraine: APK-Inform consultancy predicts that the barley harvest will increase to 7.9 MMT while corn production will fall to 33.1 MMT, down from 35.6 MMT last year. Current marketing year corn exports are approaching 25 MMT. (Reuters; AgriCensus)