US maize and soyabean output projections increased
The return of cooler, wetter weather conditions has brought the prospect of improved maize and soyabean crop conditions in the United States.
Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) senior cereals and oilseeds analysts have confirmed that improved US crop conditions will bring downward pressure on market prices.
Meanwhile, the situation in the Black Sea region remains very volatile.
This is a direct consequence of Russia and Ukraine failing to agree a continuation of the Black Sea Grain initiative.
The past week has seen attacks by Russia on ports along the Danube river with Ukraine using naval drones to attack Russian shipping.
AHDB’s Anthony Speight commented:
“The Russian cereal harvest is now underway. Total grain output in the country for 2023 is estimated to come in at 137Mt, with wheat alone accounting for 88Mt, according to IKAR.
Meanwhile, the 2023 grain harvest in Ukraine is continuing apace. The latest crop forecasts from Ukraine’s traders’ association relate a projected increase from the July figures across the following grains and oilseeds: Wheat; barley; maize; rapeseed; and sunflower.
Back in 2021, the last year of unaffected farming in Ukraine, the actual crop output figures were as follows: Wheat – 33.0Mt; barley – 10.1Mt; maize – 37.6Mt; rapeseed – 2.9Mt; and sunflower – 16.9Mt.
AHDB is reporting that the UK cereal and oilseed harvest is starting to pick up.
Momentum is set to increase further with the prospect of some continuous drying days in the offing. This should give farmers an opportunity to start combining winter wheat and spring barley crops.
Where recommended list winter barley harvest results are concerned, the latest figures from AHDB confirm that 2023 yields have held up well.
This is somewhat in contrast to the situation in Ireland, where barley yields are down, year-on-year.