Pace of Russia wheat harvest slows on delays in Siberia, Urals regions.

The pace of the wheat harvest in Russia is lower year on year as of September 20 after harvesting in the eastern regions of Siberia and the Urals got off to a late start due to delayed sowing and poor weather. This is in contrast to a month ago when an earlier-than-usual start to harvesting in the south of Russia because of favorable weather meant the pace of harvesting was quicker year on year. But that situation reversed as the harvest moved into eastern Russia, and Siberia and the Urals in particular, mainly producing spring crops. Late sowing and low temperatures during the development stage and rains in September resulted in delays to the harvest. As of September 20 the country had harvested 35 million ha, or 78% of the seeded area, from 37.7 million ha harvested a year ago. Total grains production amounted to 93 million mt at an average yield of 2.65 mt/ha, down 0.44 mt/ha from a year ago.

Barley down in Jaipur on low demand post 2-month high.

Prices of barley were down in Jaipur as demand from stockists was subdued after prices hit a two-month high of 1,610 rupees per 100 kg. In Jaipur, the benchmark market, the coarse grain was sold for 1,590 rupees per 100 kg, down 20 rupees. Concerns over quality of the stock restricted demand from the malt industry, which further weighed on prices. However, negligible supplies in the market and demand from the poultry feed sector cushioned the fall in prices.

Chana up in Delhi on improved demand from millers.

Prices of chana rose in Delhi because of improved demand from dal millers. In Delhi, the benchmark market for the commodity, chana was sold at 4,250 rupees per 100 kg, up by 25-50 rupees. Restricted sales of the government’s procured inventory also supported prices. In Bikaner, a key market, prices were steady at 4,015 rupees per 100 kg.

Farm min source says ’18-19 kharif rice output seen at 99-100 mln tn.

India is likely to produce a record 99-100 mln tn of rice in the 2018-19 (Jul-Jun) kharif season, up from 97.5 mln tn the previous year despite patchy rains. The government is likely to soon release its first advance kharif crop output estimates for 2018-19. Area under the crop has risen this year and weather is largely favourable. It is expected to boost the yield of the crop. Farmers across the country had sown paddy over 38.6 mln ha, up 2.4% from a year ago. While leading producer Uttar Pradesh saw a marginal fall in acreage from the previous year, key growers Punjab, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Haryana saw an increase.

DEC 18 Corn closed at $3.60 1/2, up 3 1/4 cents

Corn futures saw 2 to 3 1/4 cent gains in most front months. Export Inspections report from the USDA showed 1.263 MMT in corn shipments during the week of September 20. That was up 21.95% from the week prior and 61.97% larger than the same time last year. 72% of the US corn crop was mature as of 9/23 (avg. 53%), with harvest listed as 16% complete (avg. 11%).

Chana down in Bikaner on low demand from millers.

Prices of chana declined in the key market of Bikaner due to subdued demand from dal millers. In Bikaner, chana was sold at 4,000 rupees per 100 kg, down 50 rupees. In the benchmark market of Delhi, however, the pulse was at 4,225-4,250 rupees per 100 kg and arrivals were at 375 tn.

Madhya Pradesh 2018-19 chana acreage may rise 10% on year.

Chana acreage in Madhya Pradesh is likely to rise 10% on year in 2018-19 (Jul-Jun) as patchy monsoon rains may prompt farmers to shift from wheat. Area under chana in Madhya Pradesh, the largest producer of the pulse, was 3.6 mln ha a year ago. Rains were not good in most parts of the state and that’s why farmers are expected to shift to chana from wheat. Farmers are likely to shift to chana mainly in Malwa, Nimar, Narmadapuram and Mahakaushal regions of the state. If farmers switch to chana, production may also rise nearly 10% on year to 5.4 mln tn.

Kharif maize area unch on year at 7.9 mln ha.

Area under kharif maize in India was just 0.1% lower on year at 7.9 mln ha. Maize acreage in the country was higher than the normal area of 7.4 mln ha for the season, which is based on the average of last five years. Sowing was higher on year in key growing states of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana, while it was down in Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Haryana. Acreage was also higher in states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, despite reports of armyworm pest attack in some pockets of these states. Announcement of higher minimum support price by the Centre for maize encouraged growers to bring more area under the coarse grain in top producing states. However, patchy distribution of monsoon rains led to a fall in acreage in some regions.