CBOT corn prices decreased slightly last week.

Over the period under review (April 12-19), CBOT corn prices decreased (-1.7%). In the spot market, the US corn price lost USD 4/MT. In Argentina, prices fell by USD 3/MT with May delivery. Fears about corn sowing in the USA decreased slightly following the forecasts of improving weather conditions. Corn harvesting in Argentina also pressured the prices. Some 30% of corn has been harvested (24% – the five-year average, and 23% in 2017). Last week, rains did not significantly improve crop conditions – about 83% of crops suffered from the acute shortage of soil moisture. Drought spread in the Brazilian state of Parana, and corn of the second crop suffered from drought. Only 9% of crops entered the pollination stage. The first crop harvesting has been 72% completed.