In its February report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) raised its forecast for corn exports from Ukraine in 2022/2023 marketing year (MY, July-June) by 2 million tons, compared to January data, to 22.5 million tons from 20.5 million tons, and wheat exports by 0.5 million tons, to 13.5 million tons from 13 million tons.
According to a report on the U.S. Department of Agriculture website Thursday, the forecast for corn production in the current MY is maintained at 27 million tons and wheat at 21 million tons.
Also in the February forecast, the estimate of transitional corn balances in Ukraine at the end of 2022/2023 MY was reduced by 2 million tons to 3.39 million tons from 5.39 million tons, and by 0.5 million tons for wheat to 4.21 million tons from 4.71 million tons.
At the same time, the estimate of domestic consumption of corn in Ukraine in 2022/2023 MY remained at 5 million tons, and wheat – 4 million tons.
In general, the forecast of feed grain exports in Ukraine in 2022/23 MY in the February forecast was increased by 2 million tons – to 24.93 million tons from 22.93 million tons in January, and the forecast of its production was kept at 34.16 million tons.
As reported, Ukrainian agrarians by February 3, 2023 harvested 78.93 million tons of major crops from 18.46 million hectares, including 53.2 million tons of grain and leguminous crops. Wheat in 2022 harvested 20.2 million tons from 5 million hectares, and corn – 25.9 million tons from 3.9 million hectares.
Ukraine from the beginning of 2022/2023 MY to February 3, exported 27.46 million tons of crops, which is 29.8% less than the same period of the previous MY. External markets supplied 15.68 million tons of corn (-2.1% compared to the same period last year), 9.84 million tons of wheat (1.75 times less), 1.83 million tons of barley (3 times less), 12.8 thousand tons of rye (12.3 times less) and 85 tons of flour (+33%).
Four dry cargo ships will deliver corn and wheat to China and Spain, the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) reported.
“Four vessels left Ukrainian ports on January 19, carrying a total of 229,749 tons of grain and other foodstuffs as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative,” the report said.
Three vessels Star Sapphire (74 904 tons of wheat), Mana (47 267 tons of wheat and 11 420 tons of corn) and Serenity Ibtihaj (26 653 tons of corn) left for Spain. Vessel Andros Spirit will carry 69.505 tons of corn to China.
Four dry cargo ships are also on their way to Ukrainian ports, which passed through the maritime humanitarian corridor on Thursday.
“As of January 19, the total tonnage of grain and other agricultural products exported from the three Ukrainian ports is 18,051,260 tons. A total of 1,316 dry cargo ships have been allowed to move so far: 652 to arrive at Ukrainian ports and 664 to leave them,” the JCC summarized.
cargo ships, CHINA, CORN, SPAIN, WHEAT
Three ships carrying corn and wheat left Ukrainian ports on Tuesday, the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) reported.
“Three ships left Ukrainian ports on January 17, carrying a total of 119,000 tons of grain and other food as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative,” the report said.
Two dry-cargo vessels Kestrel S (26.5 thousand tons of wheat) and Great Arsenal (25.5 tons of wheat) went to Turkey. Navios Helios vessel will deliver 67 thousand tons of corn to China.
Four dry-cargo ships are also on their way to Ukrainian ports, which on Tuesday passed through the maritime humanitarian corridor.
The JCC reported that “77 applications for participation in the initiative have been submitted.” Nine ships are awaiting permission to enter Ukrainian ports, while 24 loaded dry cargo ships are waiting to depart for their destinations.
“As of January 17, the total tonnage of grain and other agricultural products exported from the three Ukrainian ports is 17,757,311 tons. A total of 1,307 dry cargo vessels have been allowed to move so far: 649 to arrive at Ukrainian ports and 658 to leave them,” the JCC summarized.
Two dry cargo ships with more than 45,000 tons of wheat and corn left Ukrainian ports on Friday, the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) reported.
“On January 5, two ships left Ukrainian ports, they are transporting a total of 45.3 thousand tons of grain and other food within the framework of the Black Sea grain initiative,” the report said.
Dry-cargo vessels Lady Divina (18.3 thousand tons of wheat) and Med Island (27 thousand tons of corn) had left to Italy.
Six dry cargo ships, which passed through the humanitarian corridor on January 6, are also on their way to the ports.
“As of January 6, the total tonnage of grain and other agricultural products exported from the three Ukrainian ports is 16,832,561 tons. A total of 1,250 vessels were allowed to move so far: 622 to arrive at Ukrainian ports and 628 to leave them,” the JCC summarized.
Ports of “Big Odessa” on Saturday and Sunday in the framework of the “Grain Initiative” sent 432 thousand tons of agricultural products in a caravan of nine ships to Africa, Asia and Europe, the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine said.
“In particular, bulk carrier Honorine with 27.5 thousand tons of Ukrainian grain for Tunisia and bulk carrier Velvet with 57 thousand tons of wheat for Bangladesh,” the ministry noted.
The Ministry pointed out that 19 ships are being processed in the ports involved in the “grain initiative”, 630 thousand tons of Ukrainian agricultural products are being loaded on them.
At the same time, 94 ships are waiting for their turn to be inspected by the SKZ in the Bosporus (69 ships are empty for loading, and 25 are already loaded with agricultural products).
“The Russian side in the JCC is systematically slowing down inspections. Vessels wait more than a month on average. At the same time, the bulk carrier T-Med with wheat on board has been waiting for inspection since the beginning of November last year,” the Ministry of Infrastructure noted.
According to its information, at least 12 inspections per day are required for uninterrupted movement in the grain corridor.
A total of 620 vessels have left the ports of Greater Odessa since August 1, exporting 16.5 million tons of Ukrainian foodstuffs to Asia, Europe and Africa.
Ukraine at the end of 2022 became the ninth largest producer of wheat with the indicator of 20.5 million tons, which is a third lower than last year’s figures due to the full-scale military aggression unleashed by Russia.
As reported on the site Finance.yahoo, Ukraine this season is ahead of China (138 million tons), the EU (134.7 million tons), India (103 million tons), Russia (91 million tons), the United States (44.9 million tons), Canada (35 million tons), Australia (33 million tons) and Pakistan (26.4 million tons) in wheat production.
In turn, Ukraine produced more wheat than Argentina (17.5m t), Turkey (17.25m t), Britain (14.6m t), Iran (13.2m t), Kazakhstan (13m t), Egypt (9.8m t), Brazil (9.2m t) and Uzbekistan (6.6m t).
According to the publication, the total area of wheat planted in 2022 exceeded 220 million hectares worldwide. Wheat is produced by both developed and developing countries. Developed regions account for 50% of the world’s wheat production, and the total area sown is 53%. About 70% of the wheat produced in the world is used as food, 20% – for livestock, and 2-3% – in industry.
As reported, Ukraine in 2021 harvested a record crop of cereals, legumes and oilseeds in the amount of 106 million tons: cereals and legumes – 84 million UAH, and oilseeds – 22.6 million tons.
A total of 32.4 million tons of wheat, 40 million tons of corn, 10 million tons of barley, 581.5 thousand tons of peas, 191 thousand tons of millet and 110 tons of buckwheat were harvested last year. Sunflower harvest amounted to 16.3 million tons, soybeans – 3.4 million tons and rapeseed – 2.9 million tons.
