CBOT corn Up 2 to 4 cents per bushel.

Strength in corn stemming from new weather outlook that took some rain out of the forecast for the U.S. Midwest during the next week. Bargain buying also expected following sharp decline on previous close. CBOT July corn last up 2-1/4 cents at $3.79-1/2 a bushel.

Zimbabwe bans grain imports after higher maize output.

Zimbabwe has banned grain imports to protect local farmers after producing enough to meet domestic demand. The southern African nation’s grain agency has also raised $200 million from the government and private sector to purchase maize from farmers. The national treasury last week forecast output of the staple maize at 2.1 million tonnes this year, from 511,000 tonnes in 2016.

Bulgaria Spring grain crops sowing.

High air temperature was typical for the Bulgarian territory during the first ten days of June. In some places, the air temperature reached +30-33°C. Such weather boosted the agricultural crops development. In some regions, precipitation in the form of rain and hail damaged crops. Corn for grain had been planted on 411.52 Th ha compared to 415.87 Th ha by the same time last year.

Israel buy 30,000 tonne wheat.

A group of Israeli private buyers issued international tenders to purchase up to 30,000 tonnes of feed wheat and 20,000 tonnes of feed barley all of optional origins. Tenders close on June 13.

US Wheat Update.

Wheat futures settled with losses of 1 to 4 cents in the KC and CBT contracts, as MPLS was up mostly a penny to 2 1/2 cent in the front months. The Commitment of Traders report had managed money lowering last week net short position in Chicago wheat futures and options by 7,624 contracts, to 106,136 contracts. They added 4,510 contracts in the MPLS wheat future and options contracts to a net long position of 9,486 contracts as of June 6. All wheat production for 2017 was hiked 4 mbu at 1.824 bbu over May crop production report. Winter wheat production saw a 4 mbu shift up to 1.250 bbu, as HRW was at 743 mbu up 6 mbu, with SRW at 298 mbu. US ending stocks for 2016/17 were at 1.161 bbu, showing a 2 mbu shift from May on larger imports, as 2017/18 stocks rose 10 mbu in this month’s report to 924 mbu. World ending stocks for 2016/17 were updated to 256.43 MMT, with 2017/18 stocks up 2.9 MMT to 261.19 MMT.

Egypt purchased Russian and Romanian wheat via tender.

Egypt purchased 360 KMT of milling wheat from Russia and Romania for shipment during July 10–20, 2017 at an average price of USD 205.51/MT C&F. The price in the previous tender equaled USD 202.61/MT C&F. In the previous tender, on May 31, 2017, Egypt took 180 KMT of milling wheat from Russia and Romania for shipment during July 1–10, 2017.

India Rice down in Punjab on weak demand.

Prices of rice fell in a key wholesale market of Amritsar due to weak demand from Iran and expectations of a larger crop this year.Steam variety of Pusa 1121 basmati rice was quoted at 6,800 rupees per 100 kg and parboiled variety at 5,700 rupees per 100 kg, both down 100 rupees from previous close. The Permal raw variety of non-basmati rice was quoted at 2,500 rupees per 100 kg in Amritsar, down 50 rupees.

India Erratic 2nd half of monsoon may hit rice.

Production of rice and soybean in the 2017-18 (Jul-Jun) kharif season may come down due to the possibility of an erratic second half of the southwest monsoon season. A poor and erratic monsoon in second half of the season may potentially bring down the production (of rice) by 5-8 million tonne from the normal level. Production of rice in 2016-17 kharif season is estimated at 96.09 million tonne. Skymet has predicted the southwest monsoon this year at 95%, with rainfall declining in the second half of the season. Acreage of the grain in the ongoing kharif season is expected to be near normal at around 39.3 million hectares, due to the timely onset of the monsoon season.

Bangladesh delay Brazil GMO Corn Import permit.

Bangladesh authoritirs still not issuing permit for imported GMO corn from Brazil, imported vessels are due for July shipments. This is supporting the Indian maize market, as Bangladeshi buyers will eye towards Indian Non-GMO Corn.