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Corn: Sowing other crops, farmers seem to postpone sales

October 6, 2017 at 7:27 AM , Starry Night Ltd.
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SOFIA. Withholding the crop from the market will not change the bearish market trend that has settled since the beginning of harvest. Combines are still in corn fields.

BULGARIA. Currently, farmers have turned their attention to planting other grains such as wheat and rapeseed since weather conditions allow it. Besides, being still in harvesting season, farmers become more reluctant to sell what they have combined in the fields. After all, corn is the last grain to be harvested and availability of storage space is abundant. Some, fearing a further price dip, already sold out.

Corn: Higher expected output on the background of lower prices

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, by the 28th of September 2017, farmers combined 59% of the 418,238 ha available for harvest. Recently released estimates place collected output at 1,424,849 mt.

The market expects an aggregate output by at least 20% higher than that of last year - 2,226,094 mt, as the reason behind the increase is a higher average yield; so far during harvest, the yield stands by 12.8% higher, according to local authorities. Favorable weather conditions during the year right before harvest increased the yield potential. And as a consequence, the result is already clear!

Harvest 2017-18

(01.09.2017 - 29.09.2017)

Carry over

480,000 mt

Domestic output

1,424,849 mt

Domestic consumption

104,000 mt

Exports to the world

166,277 mt

Source: Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture

Prices have been following a bearish trend since the start of harvest. However, exports have registered a steady climb, and by the end of last month, shipped volumes abroad reached 166,277 mt, as 108,785 mt left the country via Varna seaport; on a yearly basis, the latter figure represents an increase of 254.3%.

Corn, Bulgaria

Crop

EUR/kg

Corn

0.134

EXW Bulgaria

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