It’s important to know who those key players are in order to know how they affect the market. Farmers selling grain need to be looking at weather updates, planting conditions, crop outlook and yield estimates, as well as harvesting conditions in countries which produce and export large amounts of grain.
Wheat
Looking at wheat production in the northern hemisphere, the AHDB outlined five key exporters – Canada, the EU, Russia, Ukraine and the US.
These five countries contribute 327.16 million tonnes to world wheat production. Approximately 132.54 million tonnes of that wheat are available for export markets.
This season, total wheat production for Canada is estimated at 34.1 million tonnes – a 5.6% increase on last season.
Milling wheat supply is low in the EU this season and Canadian imports have increased to both the EU and the UK.
Last season, the US planted its lowest area of wheat since records began. However, US exports are expected to increase to an estimated 26.54 million tonnes. US exports to China have increased, while wheat exports to the EU and the UK have declined.
In 2019/2020, EU production was estimated at 147.2 million tonnes. This season, that figure is estimated at 129.3 million tonnes.
French wheat production is estimated at 29.5 million tonnes. French soft wheat exports are estimated at 6.6 million tonnes. That’s a decline of 51% from a record 13.46 million tonnes last season.
In 2019/2020, Ukraine harvested a record 29.17 million tonnes of wheat. A record 21.01 million tonnes were exported according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Exports are estimated to be down this season. However, sales were at 8.6 million tonnes as of September 28, not far behind 8.7 million tonnes at the same time last year.
The AHDB reported that the Russian agriculture minister expects production to be no less than 82 million tonnes. Russia is expected to export 37.5 million tonnes of wheat this season.
It is forecast that the US will harvest approximately 378.47 million tonnes of maize this season. Despite drought conditions, and derecho winds in some states, the country is set to harvest its second largest crop on record.
Maize exports from the US for this season are currently estimated at 59.06 million tonnes.
Dry conditions have affected maize crops in Ukraine. The AHDB reported that the Ukrainian government expects maize production at approximately 33 million tonnes.
Maize yields are also reduced in the EU. Stratégie Grains placed production at 64.9 million tonnes. This is down from 67.4 million tonnes last month. 64.5 million tonnes were produced last year.
The AHDB reported that Brazil harvested 102.5 million tonnes of maize this season. Full-season maize has been planted for next season, while the safrinha crop will be planted from January to March next year. The safrinha crop accounts for approximately 73% of the total maize area in Brazil.
In Argentina, maize growers have been planting in recent weeks. 11% of the crop was estimated to be planted as of September 24. 6.2 million hectares are expected to be planted. This is down 0.1 million hectares from last year.
At present a La Nina weather event is forecast and if this occurs it will be important to watch out for dry conditions in Brazil and Argentina that may impact yields.
