Gleadell Daily Grain Comment - 20 February 2017

[ADM Agriculture]

US Markets closed today for President’s Day Holiday

• US markets – soy lower on uncertainty over US economic policy and favourable US weather, also prospects of increased Brazilian farmer selling – corn lower on talk that Mexico may look ‘elsewhere’ for supplies – wheat lower on talk of rains sweeping across the US Midwest, and US supplies were a $10 premium over Black Sea origins (fob basis) at Egyptian tender.
• South American weather – Argentina sees no change; heavy rains seen for Santa Fe and Entre Rios, elsewhere outlook look favourable. Brazil on and off showers for south; tropical rains are seen for Mato Grosso, Goias and Mato Grosso de Sol.
• Egypt’s GASC purchased 360,000t of wheat (240,000t Russian 60,000t Ukrainian, and 60,000t Romanian) for shipment 16-26 March position.
• Mexico’s Ag Minister will lead a business delegation to Argentina and Brazil to buy yellow corn, part of a drive to lessen dependence on US exports.
• Nearly all of France’s wheat crops remained in good condition, farm office AgriMer reported. 92% of soft wheat rated good to excellent a/o 13th Feb, down slightly from 94% a year earlier.
• UK retail sales fall unexpectedly in January, with the ONS (Office for National Statistics) showing a drop of 0.3% compared with the previous month, well below the 0.9% rise expected.

Last Trade Settle:
London May ’17 Settle £148.75/t – down £0.05/t from previous close
Paris May ’17 Settle €174.00 – down €1.50/t from previous close
CBOT Mar ’17 Corn Settle $3.6825/bushel – down 5.25c/bushel from previous close
CBOT Mar ’17 Wheat Settle $4.4100/bushel – down 6.75c/bushel from previous close

Currency Today:
GBP EUR 1.1730
GBP USD 1.2455
EUR GBP 0.8520
EUR USD 1.0615