The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in September improved its forecast for corn exports from Ukraine in the 2018/2019 marketing year (MY, July-June) by 500,000 tonnes compared with the August forecast, to 25 million tonnes. According to a report on the website of the U.S. department, the forecast for corn harvest for 2018 has been maintained at the level of 31 million tonnes.
The USDA also kept the forecast for wheat exports from Ukraine in the 2018/2019 MY at the level of 16.5 million tonnes with the yield standing at 25.5 million tonnes, which corresponds to the figures released in August.
In general, the U.S. agency downgraded its forecast for grain harvest in Ukraine by 400,000 tonnes, to 65.2 million tonnes, raised that for exports by 300,000 tonnes, to 45.96 million tonnes.
As reported, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine predicts the increase in grain harvest in 2018 by 1.1 million tonnes compared to the previous year, to 63.1 million tonnes. Grain exports in the 2018/2019 marketing year are projected to be 42 million tonnes.
Exports of Ukrainian rapeseeds in the 2018/19 agricultural year would reach some 2.5 million tonnes, which is 19% more than a year ago, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said.
According to an annual report for oilseeds and food of the USDA, in 2016/17 agri-year Ukraine exported around 1 million tonnes of rapeseeds, which is 28% less than a year ago. Over 92% of it was exported to the European Union (EU).
According to the report, from July 2017 through January 2018, the trend has changed, and exports reached 2 million tonnes, which is almost 21% more year-over-year. The EU remained the key consumer and bought almost 1.7 million tonnes (92% of total exports). The EU would remain the main buyer of the new season.
According to the report, EXW prices of rapeseeds in 2018/19 agri-year exceeded FOB prices in the ports of the Black Sea.