Grain Markets and Other Stuff Joe Vaclavik

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Decline in US Share of China's Soybean Market: This year, the US share of China's soybean market is expected to further decline, partly due to a bumper soybean crop in Argentina. Argentina is forecast to produce 50mmt of soybeans, double last year's production during a historic drought. Additionally, competitive prices from the Brazilian soybean crop will also hold a significant share of China's market. Last year, the US share of the Chinese market fell to 24%, with Chinese traders anticipating further decline due to concerns surrounding the US presidential election. 🌱📉

Strike of Argentine Oilseed Union: The Argentine Oilseed Crushers Union initiated a strike on Monday in response to a bill introduced by Argentina's president, Javier Milei. The bill proposes measures to reduce the minimum salary subject to income tax and includes labor reform. Milei aims to address high inflation and public spending since taking office in December, but opposition from the center-left and unions has impeded progress. The strike is expected to continue through today as Congress debates the legislation. ⚖️🇦🇷

Rainfall Patterns in US Corn Belt: Rainfall moved over far eastern areas of the US Corn Belt this morning, with more rain forecasted for Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, eastern Kansas, and northern Missouri over the next 5 days. These rains may return to the western Corn Belt and other regions by Thursday, potentially hindering planting progress but also helping to alleviate drought conditions. 🌧️🌽

Progress of US Corn and Soybean Planting: US corn planting is ahead of schedule, with 27% of the crop planted nationally as of Sunday, surpassing the 22% average. Similarly, soybean planting progress is ahead, with 18% of the crop planted compared to the 10% average. However, some states still lag behind in planting progress, while others are well ahead. 🌱🚜

Winter Wheat Ratings and Crop Progress: US winter wheat ratings declined slightly last week, with 49% of the crop rated good-excellent. Despite this decline, the rating was in line with expectations and the highest for this time of year since 2020. Meanwhile, the spring wheat crop is progressing well, with 34% planted compared to the 19% average. 🌾📉

US Grain Shipments: Corn shipments declined last week, with 1.2mmt inspected for export, down from the previous week and compared to the same period last year. Similarly, soybean shipments were soft, while wheat shipments saw a slight increase compared to the previous week and a significant rise compared to the same period last year. 🚢🌾

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Midwest Tornado Outbreak: Over the weekend, a flurry of tornadoes wreaked havoc across the Midwest. On Friday alone, 106 tornadoes tore through six states, causing widespread destruction, particularly in Nebraska and Iowa. Despite the catastrophic damage, few injuries were reported, and fortunately, there were no fatalities. However, on Saturday, several tornadoes struck Oklahoma, resulting in extensive structural damage and sadly, four fatalities along with numerous injuries. The affected communities are now in the process of recovery and rebuilding. 🌪️🏘️

Fund Traders Adjust Corn Positions: According to the latest Commitment of Traders data released by the CFTC, fund traders have reduced their net short position in the corn market. During the week ending April 23, they were net buyers of 46k contracts of corn, though the net short position remains historically large at 226k contracts. A similar trend was observed in soybeans, with fund traders being net buyers of 17k contracts, while maintaining a historically large net short position. Meanwhile, they were net buyers of 20k contracts of SRW wheat. 🌽💼

Impact of Biofuel Feedstock Imports on Soybean Market: The rise in biofuel feedstock imports, including alternatives like used cooking oil, tallow, and canola oil, has led to reduced demand for soybean oil. Consequently, crush margins have declined, prompting earlier seasonal maintenance closures of soybean processing plants. Despite government incentives driving soybean crush expansion, concerns over excess capacity have emerged due to heightened competition. In January, soybean oil accounted for a record-low 32% of feedstocks used for biodiesel production. 🌿🔧

Drought Threatens Russian Wheat Crop: Russia's wheat-growing regions are facing drought conditions, particularly in southwestern Russia, which could impact this year's wheat crop. Some industry experts have lowered their crop forecasts due to the adverse weather. While central Russia's spring planting and winter grain crops are expected to fare better, the overall grain harvest in Russia is projected to decline to 132mmt from 144.9mmt last year. 🌾🇷🇺

Inflation and Consumer Spending: The core PCE price index, the Federal Reserve's preferred gauge of inflation, surged in March, exceeding expectations with a 2.8% gain on an annual basis. Consumer spending also saw a significant increase last month, rising by 0.5%, driven by a strong labor market. This combination of high inflation and robust consumer spending is likely to deter the Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates in the near future. 💲💹

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USDA's Weekly Drought Monitor: Light to moderate precipitation across the Corn Belt last week brought relief to many areas, improving conditions in parts of Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, as well as in parts of Iowa. However, dry conditions persisted in southern Missouri and western Kentucky, leading to expanding drought conditions in those areas. Additionally, above-normal temperatures and dry weather in the High Plains worsened conditions in central and western Kansas, the panhandle of Oklahoma, and eastern South Dakota. Drought remains a concern for various agricultural sectors. 🌧️🌾

US Wheat Futures Rally: US wheat futures rallied on Thursday, with the Jul24 Kansas City contract gaining over 10 cents and reaching its highest close since late December. The rally, which has seen the contract gain nearly $1 per bushel since early March, has been influenced by factors such as developments in the Black Sea region, potential Indian imports, and declining US crop ratings. The contract has closed higher for six consecutive days, reflecting market optimism. 🌾📈

Upcoming Climate Model for Ethanol Producers: The Biden administration is set to release a climate model next Tuesday that will determine how ethanol producers can qualify for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) subsidies through climate-smart agriculture practices. These practices include the use of cover crops, efficient tilling, and fertilizer application. The model is expected to be more restrictive for corn ethanol than initially anticipated, according to reports from Reuters earlier this month. 🌱🛢️

US Economic Growth Slows: US economic growth in the first quarter fell to a level not seen in almost two years, with GDP increasing at a 1.6% annualized rate, below economists' projections. Inflation rose more than expected during the same period, with the personal consumption expenditure price index climbing to 3.7%. The service sector's 5.1% increase was the main driver of inflation. These developments may lead to increased pressure on the Federal Reserve to delay rate cuts further and even consider raising rates. 📉💰

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India's Wheat Stocks at 16-Year Low: India's wheat stocks have dropped to their lowest level in 16 years due to two consecutive years of lower crop yields. The Indian government is selling record amounts of stocks to increase local supply and lower domestic prices. Untimely rainfall in northern India has delayed purchases by state-run agencies, leading to a 25% decrease compared to last year. If stocks aren't replenished, India may need to import wheat for the first time since 2017. 🌾🇮🇳

Rain Returns to Central US: Rainfall is expected to return to the central US today and tomorrow, with the highest totals forecasted for Missouri, eastern Kansas, northwest Oklahoma, and western Nebraska. The 5-day forecast indicates significant rainfall for Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and North Dakota, while Indiana and Ohio will be drier. The active weather pattern may continue for at least a week, causing delays in fieldwork. 🌧️🌽

Bird Flu Detected in Grocery Store Milk: Grocery store milk has tested positive for bird flu, although the virus in pasteurized milk wasn't infectious. Starting Monday, the USDA will require dairy cattle to be tested for bird flu before being moved across state lines, focusing mainly on lactating cattle. Some cows infected with bird flu have not fully recovered their ability to produce milk, impacting the dairy industry. 🥛🐦

US Ethanol Production Declines: US ethanol production declined last week, with weekly output down 3% from the previous week and 6.8% lower compared to the same week last year. Ethanol stocks were slightly down from the previous week but up compared to the same week last year. Implied gasoline demand also decreased compared to the previous week and the same week last year. 🌽🛢️

USDA Weekly Export Sales Report: USDA will release its weekly Export Sales report today, with pre-report estimates suggesting varying figures for corn, soybeans, and wheat. Analysts will closely monitor the report for insights into current marketing year trends and export demand. 📈🌾

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Rain Returns to US Corn Belt: Rainfall is expected to return to the US Corn Belt on Thursday and Friday, with coverage extending across Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, eastern South Dakota, and Nebraska. However, eastern areas like Indiana and Ohio will experience drier conditions. Increased rainfall may slow corn and soybean planting in affected areas. 🌧️🌽🌱

Improvement in Panama Canal Transit: Increased rainfall has led to improved transit through the Panama Canal, with average daily vessel crossings rising to 25 from 21 in late January. While still below pre-drought levels, the canal authority expects daily transits to reach 31 by mid-May and 32 by June. This uptick in vessel crossings will help alleviate global trade restrictions, with normal operations expected to resume by the end of this year or early next year. 🚢⛈️

Decline in Ukrainian Grain Output: Ukrainian grain output is forecasted to decline due to heavy rainfall delaying spring planting by 20% compared to last year. Reduced planted wheat acres have led to a projection of 19.9 million metric tons for Ukraine's wheat crop, down 11% from last year and significantly lower than the five-year average. The decline is attributed to farmers turning to more profitable crops amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. 🇺🇦🌾

Russia's Response to US Military Aid: Russia plans to intensify its attacks on Ukraine in response to new US military aid, following the passage of a $61 billion foreign aid package by the US House. The aid includes economic and military support for Ukraine, with the US set to begin shipping battlefield and air defense support pending Senate approval. Russia has stated that Western-supplied weapons to Ukraine are valid targets, further escalating tensions. 🇷🇺🇺🇸💥

US Consideration of Sanctions Against Chinese Banks: The US is considering sanctions against Chinese banks that support Russia's military, amid concerns that Beijing has been supplying Russia with dual-use goods. These goods, such as plane parts and machines, could aid Russia in rebuilding its military capabilities. US sanctions would target banks facilitating transactions for such goods, potentially cutting them off from the global financial system and causing them to fail. 🇺🇸🇨🇳💰

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US Winter Wheat Ratings Decline: US winter wheat ratings dropped sharply last week, with the crop rated 50% good-excellent nationally, down from 55% the previous week and below analysts' expectations. However, it marked the highest rating for this time of year since 2021. Poor to very poor ratings increased to 16%, up from 13% the prior week. The crop's progress in heading also increased to 17% nationally. 🌾📉

US Corn Planting Ahead of Schedule: US corn planting is progressing ahead of schedule, with 12% of the crop planted nationally compared to 10% on average. Notable progress is seen in states like Kansas, Missouri, and Texas. However, some states like Colorado and Michigan lag behind in planting progress. Soybean planting is also ahead of average, with 8% of the crop planted nationally, led by states like Arkansas and Illinois. 🌽🌱

Brazilian Ethanol Arrives for SAF Production: Brazil's first shipment of sugarcane ethanol has reached the US for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production at LanzaJet's plant in Georgia. LanzaJet opts for Brazilian ethanol due to its lower carbon score, until US corn ethanol improves its environmental credentials. Several Brazilian mills have met SAF production certifications, indicating potential future shifts in feedstock usage. 🇧🇷🛢️🛫

Strong US Corn Shipments: US corn shipments surged last week, with 1.6 million metric tons inspected for export, marking a 73% increase compared to the same week last year. Soybean shipments remained steady, while wheat shipments decreased from the previous week but rose compared to the same week last year. 🚢🌽

ADM CFO to Resign: The former CFO of ADM, Vikram Luthar, has agreed to resign after being suspended in January amid an SEC investigation into the company's accounting practices. Luthar's departure follows a significant decline in ADM's shares and market value. Despite his resignation, he will receive his annual cash performance incentive award for 2023. 🏦📉📉