In the overnight session, the grains inched higher with corn up 1 1/4 cents soybeans up 5 cents and wheat up 1 cent. The U.S. dollar is trading mostly unchanged and crude oil is down 46 cents. The EU cut its corn production forecast this month to 58.7 million metric tons from 65.5 million metric tons last month. Europe was plagued by hot dry weather during a critical development period which reduced yield prospects significantly. The EU however raised their soft wheat harvest estimate to 140.7 million metric tons from 139.4 million metric tons last month.
Yesterday, the International Grains Council raised its global wheat production by 10 million metric tons to 720 million metric tons citing improved Russian production. The council also increased their global corn crop by 2 million metric tons to 968 million metric tons this month, mentioning a decline in EU production being more than offset by more favorable U.S. crop prospects.
The GASC tender set mid-week was won by Russia on Thursday with the low bid of $180.47 dollars per ton FOB. Egyptians grain buyer GASC issued another tender for 60,000 metric tons on Thursday which was also filled by Russian wheat at $190.07 per ton including freight.
The western grain belt saw rain last night with the heaviest rains in South Dakota. The storm should move eastward into the Midwest over the next couple days. Following this rain event the forecast looks mostly dry until late next week when the northern half of the grain belt looks to be wetter than normal. Showers will aid the crop in the 11-15 day forecast.
