In the overnight session the grains traded mixed with corn and soybeans up 2 ¼ each and wheat trading 1 ¼ cent higher going into the morning pause in trade. Today is the last day to get out of any March grain contracts with first notice day Friday the 27th.
Yesterday at 11 AM CST trucker strike representatives met with the Brazil government to seek a resolution to the multi week long strike that has clogged roadways in Brazil. Following the meeting, Brazil minister says that the Government is not open to altering fuel tax to appease the striking truckers. However, the government followed that announcement by stating that the truckers are showing flexibility and that they expect a resolution will be reached soon.
Exports sales for corn were weaker than expected, while wheat and soybeans reported sales on the low side of analyst expectations. For the week ending February 19th corn export sales totaled to 715,800 MT which was down 23 percent from last week. Analysts were expecting to see corn sales between 900,000 and 1,100,000 metric tons. Soybean export sales were on the low side of expectations booking 459,200 MT compared to expectations between 450,000-650,000 metric tons. Soybean sales are still well ahead of the pace needed to meet USDA expectations. Wheat sales were reported 328,300 metric tons of sales, within the analyst expectations and up 23 percent from the previous week.
Expected Actual
Corn 900,000-1,100,000 715,800
Soybeans 450,000-650,000 459,000
Wheat 200,000-400,000 328,300
This morning the International Grains Council forecast the world wheat crop to increase 2 million metric tons to 719 MMT for the 14/15 marketing year. The IGC forecast a decline for the 15/16 marketing year to 705 MMT.
