USDA sees 2017-18 world sugar stocks down at 38 million tonne.

The USDA has forecast world sugar inventories in 2017-18 to fall 600,000 tonne to a six-year low of 38.3 million tonne. Despite expectations of a record world sugar production in 2017-18, global sugar stocks are seen falling due to lower inventories in China and Mexico. The department has forecast world sugar output in 2017-18 to rise by 8.8 million tonne to a record 179.6 million tonne, amid expectations of recovery in production of the sweetener in India.

ICE raw sugar down as China raises tax on imports.

Futures contracts of raw sugar on the ICE were down as China decided to raise taxes on imports from major producers over the next three years. Benchmark July raw sugar contract on the ICE was down 0.6% at $16.29 cents a pound. China tax on imports beyond the first 1.95 million tonne per year will be raised to 95% from the current 50%, effective immediately. The rate fall to 90% after one year and to 85% after two years. The tax on the first 1.95 million tonne will remain at 15%.

Telangana rabi paddy buys at record high 2.6 million tonne so far 2016-17.

Telangana has procured a record high 2.6 million tonne of paddy so far in the 2016-17 rabi season. The state had procured 729,000 tonne of paddy in the 2015-16 rabi season. Production of the cereal was at 4.2 million tonne in rabi season, higher than expectations of 3.7 million tonne. Till now Rs. 3917.46 crores (39.17 billion rupees) worth of 25.95 LMTs (2.6 million tonne) paddy has been purchased from 4,45,373 farmers from 2,979 purchase centers. Another 1.0-1.5 million tonne paddy is expected to be procured by the end of May.

India Maize down in Bihar as supplies recover post rainfall.

After rising in the last few days, maize prices in Bihar benchmark Purnea market fell due to a rise in arrivals after rainfall in parts of the state faded away. Around 3,000 tonne of maize arrived in markets up from 2,000 tonne on previous close. On NCDEX rabi maize contracts traded higher because of high demand for the coarse grain stored in warehouses from poultry and starch feed manufacturers. The June maize contract ended up 0.6% from the previous close.

U.S. corn planting seen 85 % complete.

U.S. corn planting was seen at 84 percent complete, slightly behind market expectations. showers have threatened some corn seedlings. This is the largest corn re-plant season in many years, mostly in the eastern and southern Corn Belt.

CBOT CORN – Up 1 to 2 cents bushel.

Supported by concerns that storms in the eastern Corn Belt this week could slow fieldwork as well as flood some areas that have already been seeded, damaging recently planted crops. Most-actively traded July contract hit highest since May 4 overnight, breaking through 100-day moving average. CBOT July corn was last up 2 cents at $3.74-1/2 a bushel. The most active corn futures on the Chicago Board Of Trade rose 0.1 percent to $3.75-1/2 a bushel, having gained 0.7 percent in the previous session when prices hit a high of $3.77-1/2 a bushel.

CBOT Trends-Wheat up 2-3 cents.

Heavy rains in U.S. Plains, which damage crop in key production areas, supporting prices. CBOT July soft red winter wheat was last up 3 cents at $4.38-1/4 per bushel. K.C. July hard red winter wheat last up 3 cents at $4.41 and MGEX July spring wheat last up 2-3/4 cents at $5.58-1/2.