WBL News
Demand for the main oils in the United States for biodiesel production is on the rise
4 December, 2023
The United States has sharply increased its imports of vegetable oils to supply its biodiesel industry. For the moment, this source is practically out of the soybean oil export market despite falling prices.
Barley 2023/24: challenges and opportunities for a high-yielding season
27 November, 2023
A phenomenal increase in average yields would partly compensate for the sharp drop in sown area, but total supply would still be tight in the face of strong demand. International dynamics could bring better prices for Argentine grain.
The soybean complex is set to double the country’s foreign exchange earnings next year
13 November, 2023
The rains have helped to recompose the humidity in the soil with a view to the new soybean season, which is progressing steadily towards April next year.
Soybean crushing records worst September so far this century
6 November, 2023
Crushing volume for the ninth month of the year totaled just 1.9 million tonnes. Although corn purchases as a percentage of production show a lag compared to previous years, 9.2 million tonnes are still available for commercialization until February.
World wheat stocks are expected to fall by 2024
30 October, 2023
Production complications in the main exporters would bring the stock/consumption ratio to more than ten-year lows. At the local level, caution prevails with a view to the new season.
Foreign sales of maize and soybean by-products accelerate
23 October, 2023
Despite still being negative, the industry’s theoretical margin is decompressed, boosting sales. In maize, business totaled 1.3 million tonnes in just two days, although due to the lack of water, the area pending planting is the second highest on record.
Wheat: Argentina gives up its participation in the Brazilian market
17 October, 2023
Monthly wheat exports continue to accentuate the fall. The “cheap” Russian wheat was able to position itself at values that make it attractive for the South American market.
Soybean crushing in the first five months of the current season is the lowest since 2004/05
9 October, 2023
The idle capacity of the industry would reach 62% during the current cycle. Meanwhile, early maize planting is progressing with strong delays due to the lack of rainfall.
Which wheat markets can expand for Argentina in the coming season?
2 October, 2023
Which wheat markets can expand for Argentina in the coming season?
Russian wheat continues to impose the downward trend in Chicago, although
significant production cuts are projected for the new crop. Australia falls sharply in
production and exports, which could leave a window open for local wheat.
Almost all of the DJVE of the soya complex recorded since the introduction of PIE V are for unprocessed grain
25 September, 2023
The cause could be found in the differential in gross margins that exists between the industry and exports. In the meantime, corn mutual funds in Chicago are trading at 2020 levels.
Wheat business falls to lowest level since 2016
18 September, 2023
Caution reigns as the rains avoid key production areas, and with the expectation of a recovery in commercial conditions in the future. The international outlook focuses on the Black Sea but prepares for a tight 2023/24.
Soybean commercialization so far this year is the lowest in at least six years
11 September, 2023
Maize marketing is the lowest since 2015, although 2023 purchases are proceeding apace. Sunflower accumulates a four-year high in domestic purchases.
Maize exports fall by 40%, the lowest in the last five years
4 September, 2023
Argentina’s second largest exporter feels the effects of the drought on its foreign trade, with a drop in exports of US$ 2.275 million. The Dolar Agro ends. A week of uncertainty and commercial paralysis for soya.
Oil industry idle capacity to reach 70% by the end of 2022/23 season
28 August, 2023
Soybean crushing in the first four months of the season is the lowest since 2007/08, while the industry’s idle capacity is on the rise. Soybean imports so far in 2023 have already surpassed the annual record.
Advance wheat purchases fall to a 7-year low
14 August, 2023
Advance wheat purchases by industry and exports fall 80% year-on-year to less than 1 million tonnes. Argentina’s share of wheat imports from Brazil fell to 62%, with export prices proving uncompetitive.
Brazil leads world soybean meal exports so far this year
7 August, 2023
For the first time in 26 years, Brazil has displaced Argentina from first place in soybean meal exports.
The first half of 2023 saw the second highest level of wheat milling in the last decade
31 July, 2023
Fertilizer imports fell to 0.9 million tonnes during the first six months of the year. Despite this, wheat planting is proceeding normally, as is milling. Russia’s attacks on Ukraine impact grain prices.
Trade between Argentina and India broke records for the fifth year in a row
24 July, 2023
India has consolidated its position as Argentina’s fifth largest trading partner. It is also the main export destination for Santa Fe province and the Soy Complex. The key role of vegetable oils.
External maize sales recovered ground but remain 50% below last year’s level
17 July, 2023
The season that looked set to see the highest anticipated maize sales in history is now at a five-year low in foreign sales. More than 12 million tonnes of 2022/23 maize could still be traded.
The business drought continues: the volume of wheat traded is the lowest in at least seven years
10 July, 2023
Between contracts and fixings, average wheat purchases fall more than 53%. Planting 2023/24 is progressing in line with previous years. Despite the war, Russia closes a record season and goes for another record high.
Investment by grain producers in the 2022/23 season was among the highest in history
3 July, 2023
The costs associated with production would have amounted to more than US$ 16.4 billion in the season, 23% above the previous cycle, explained by the increase in the price of inputs.
Agro-industrial activity declined by 0.4% in April
26 June, 2023
Agro-industrial activity shows signs of stagnation in April 2023, after an upturn in March. Soybean industrialization, biodiesel and bioethanol production explain the fall.
Net exports of the main agricultural complexes are expected to hit a low in more than a decade
19 June, 2023
Fewer tonnes exported and falling prices sharply cut net agricultural exports. This year, total exports are expected to fall by at least 21%.
Soybean and Maize trucks entering Gran Rosario at least 22-year lows
12 June, 2023
Soybean and Maize truck volumes are down 49% and 64% respectively from last year. Soybean imports at record levels. Corn trade dynamics continue, with more discretion in soybeans.
In just two days more soybeans were sold than in all April
29 May, 2023
Eight rounds before the end of the “Dollar Soy III” ForEx initiative, the commercialization of the oilseed has picked up. However, accumulated exports remain at a minimum due to the severe drought. Argentine Late Corn is coming up, but with prices threatened.
Uncertainty in Argentina is reflected in the USD futures markets
22 May, 2023
This uncertainty is occurring in the context of a growing trading volume in the market and expected devaluation rates that exceeded 200% per year, while the Central Bank remains on the sidelines.
Production ups and downs twist external trade flows for maize and soybeans
15 May, 2023
As a result of the cutback in soybean production, Argentina’s need to import raw materials to keep its factories afloat has intensified. Brazil floods the market with maize and soya, putting pressure on prices.
In the first quarter 2023, 30% less soybeans were crushed compared to 2022, despite a three-fold increase in imports
24 April, 2023
In the first quarter, 5.5 million MT of soybeans were crushed, with the industry operating at 30% of capacity. Imports in the same period totaled 1.8 Mil MT, with March hitting an all-time high.
Less maize 2022/23: how is consumption adjusting?
17 April, 2023
The lower supply for the new cycle is being felt in the market. In March, only 2.1 Mil MT were shipped, marking the worst season kick-off in 6 years. Meanwhile, feed demand is trying to adjust to the new context at the expense of costs.
How is the supply and consumption of soybeans 2022/23 in Argentina?
10 April, 2023
Large carry plus record imports fail to compensate for the drop in production: crush levels fall to a minimum in two decades, and bean exports are expected to place at the lowest volume since the mid-1990s.
Complicated year for Argentinian biodiesel
3 April, 2023
Drought, potential economic recession and adverse export market could push biodiesel demand to its second lowest level in fifteen years. News from Brazil, Bolivia and the United States.
Although affected by the drought, barley withstood the onslaught better
27 March, 2023
The crop was estimated at 4.5 Mil MT, 20% less than in 2021/22. Compared to the 50% year-on-year drop in wheat, the retraction is less drastic. From a commercial point of view, 2023 started with a good pace of grain barley exports.
Wheat traded so far in 2022/23 is the lowest since 2015/16, high proportion of deals to be fixed
20 March, 2023
7.67 Mil MT have been traded, representing 67% of production. To be fixed amounts to 2.96 Mil MT and in relation to total marketed represents 39%, a maximum since at least the 1999/00 crop.
With soybean and maize yields down 37% and 26%, respectively, what to expect regarding grain flow
13 March, 2023
The 2022/23 coarse crop is expected to be substantially smaller than the lasts 5-year average, affecting grain availability. Extension of 2022/23 maize shipments was allowed. WASDE and a trade week particularly alert to historical rain shortages.
Wheat milling in January was 8% higher than previous year
6 March, 2023
Despite the drop in production, the pace of wheat milling remains firm, in January it grew by 8% year-on-year. Downward trends in local and international prices.
First commercial indicators for 2022/23 maize
27 February, 2023
Although the 2022/23 maize commercial year formally begins on March 1st, early corn lots have already begun to be harvested, with yields that are expected to be meagre.
Soybean and maize purchases remain at seven-year low
16 February, 2023
With main planting operations coming to an end, soybean and maize trades are the slowest in terms of volume in the last seven years, with a large portion of purchases still to be fixed. Brazilian maize exports in January were the highest in history.
January SBM exports at low levels
6 February, 2023
Argentina’s main export product showing low levels in January after the strong trades done last December, due to the Government’s “Dollar Soya II”.
So far this season, the entry of trucks with wheat to Gran Rosario fell by 80%
30 January, 2023
Between 1-26/DEC, 485,000 MT of wheat were discharged at Upriver ports, 80% below last year, and the lowest level recorded since 2013. The supply shortage supports prices, and the US takes advantage of the situation to increase area.
Milling industry, current scenario and upcoming challenges
12 December, 2022
Wheat milling closed the 2021/22 marketing year stable in terms of processed tons, while flour production may have been the second largest. However, the outlook poses challenges for the new season.
Trade Indicators for the 2021/22 Wheat Season
5 December, 2022
The 2021/22 wheat season started on the first day of December 2021 and ended on 30 November 2022. More than 25 million tons were traded in the domestic market, while more than 15 million tons were declared as exports.
Maize planting progress picks up pace, but still lags behind.
14 November, 2022
The low soil moisture prevents more stronger progress in the planting of grains in Argentina. The Parana River levels rise and improves the loading of ships at Upriver. How are the corn and soybean markets?
Uncertainty regarding production, and falling sunflower prices for the 2022/23 season
24 October, 2022
Main reasons for slower trading pace for the new sunflower crop: World market uncertainty, less-than-optimal production conditions and drop in prices.
Area sown with maize is the lowest in six years so far
17 October, 2022
Lack of rain hinders corn sowing in Argentina. September, a month of very high soybean truck arrivals, with good prospects for October. Lower production and recession fears: October WASDE and price outlook.
2021/22 Wheat milling reached 4.4 Mil MT in August
3 October, 2022
Uncertainty in the outcome of the Black Sea conflict, along with the volatility in world trade, continue to drive up prices. Locally, Argentine milling continues to increase 0.5 Mil MT per month.
The special “Soybean USD Exchange Rate” boost truck deliveries to Rosario by more than double
26 September, 2022
Soybean delivery at Upriver last week grew by 120% over the average of the past three months. SB imports continue at their lowest level in five years. While the drought surprises in the United States, funds are taking positions.
As record consumption and exports consolidate, commercial corn stocks reach all-time highs
19 September, 2022
The robust late-crop corn strongly enforces maize stock ready to supply Argentina’s domestic and export markets. In addition, conservative trade estimates in the US push prices upward.
“Soybean Dollar” exchange rate pushes FOB prices down
12 September, 2022
The Export Increase Program caused high levels of purchases, which turned into exports, thus reducing prices. Upward adjustment of biodiesel prices. Corn peaks at equilibrium volume.
Record imports push trade surplus to four-year low
5 September, 2022
Agriculture represents a mere 7.7% of Argentine imports. So far in 2022, those imports have grown by more than 45%, thus substantially limiting the trade surplus. Energy imports grew the most by far.
Cargill, COFCO and Bunge lead exports in the 2021/22 campaign
29 August, 2022
To date, the main exporters of grains, oilseeds and by-products in Argentina have been Cargill and COFCO with 9.6 and 9 Mil MT respectively, while Bunge completes the podium, coming in 3rd place.
Trend of ARG Soybean futures inverts
22 August, 2022
The supply needs of the local market put pressure on the prices of spot deliveries, surpassing values of the deferred oilseed deliveries. Investment funds reduce their long positions in coarse grains.
Flow of trucks in July falls as late corn harvest slows down.
8 August, 2022
The flow corn trucks to port terminals in the last month was lower than 2021 as harvest slows down, as well as showing lower yields. Additionally, the production of biodiesel grew strongly in the first semester.
Wheat stocks of main exporters adjust—what destination is the Argentine wheat going to?
1 August, 2022
Wheat stocks of the world’s largest exporters have been decreasing, and cereal prices continue to show a bullish response. For this reason, and with greater export potential, Argentina has distributed its shipments among a greater number of destinations.
Agro-industrial shipments from Argentina grow in the first half of 2022
25 July, 2022
Agro-industrial shipments in the first half of the year have reached 51.2 Mil MT, 6% more than in the first half of last year. Asia continues to be the main destination for Argentine shipments.
Soybean and corn prices fall in light of local USD rally
18 July, 2022
From nominal values reached recently, soybean prices fell by almost 25% and
corn prices by 28%. A strong dollar coupled with looser balance sheets explains
the declines.
Status of Argentine Sorghum 2021/22
11 July, 2022
For the 2021/22 sorghum campaign, a production decrease close to 500,000 tons
is expected, when compared to the previous cycle. Furthermore, same as in the
last campaign, exports will represent the main destination of the commercial
activity.
Soybean purchases uneven between industry and exports
28 June, 2022
With almost three months passed since the beginning of the 2021/22 soybean commercial campaign, the commercialization of the oilseed remains at low levels, measured in absolute terms, with only 18.5 Mil MT originated to date by the industrial and exporting sectors.
Maize harvest and wheat planting progress each at their own pace
22 June, 2022
While the maize harvest is delayed due to high moisture, wheat planting scales up to 31% of the target area. In the United States, wheat ends its 2021/22 campaign with the worst volume of exports on record.