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US Wheat... Stocks to Record Low

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    US Wheat... Stocks to Record Low

    Charlie,

    I see this...

    "U.S. to Supply 1/3 of Imports; Stocks Fall to Record Low
    December 14, 2007


    Joe Sowers
    U.S. Wheat Senior Market Analyst

    In its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) release this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) increased the forecast for U.S. wheat exports to 1,175 million bushels (mbu), the highest level since 1995/96. With production problems limiting supplies in every major exporter, U.S. wheat exports are expected to account for 31 percent of global trade – an outcome that will squeeze ending stocks down to bare minimums and sustain record high wheat prices.

    With weather problems this year and stocks already low, production in the five major exporters – the U.S., Canada, Argentina, Australia and the EU-27 – is 772 mbu below the 10-year average. Global imports are only expected to fall 73 mbu below average and that is forcing importers to scramble for supplies. As wheat buyers turn to the U.S., USDA predicts U.S. exports will grow 257 mbu (29 percent) above last year and exceed domestic use for the first time since 1995/96. Export sales in the first half of the marketing year (June 1 to Dec. 6) were brisk with the U.S. selling 1,053 mbu or 90 percent of exportable supplies.

    The large jump in exports will leave the U.S. with its tightest wheat supply since 1947. U.S. production in 2007/08 was 73 mbu below the 10-year average and beginning stocks were 220 mbu below average. USDA projects stocks at the end of the marketing year will fall to 279 mbu, which is 404 MMT below the 10-year average. The U.S. will hold only 24 percent of its annual domestic use, our lowest stocks-to-use ratio since records were first kept in 1934.

    The tight supply situation has spurred U.S. prices to new highs. USDA estimates the annual average farm gate price will rise to a record $6.60 per bushel, up from $4.26 last year and $3.42 in 2005/06. Export prices, of course, are also up with the most dramatic rise seen in durum and soft white (SW). SW offers from the Pacific Northwest were $12.55/bushel last Friday, two and a half times higher than this week last year and nearly four times higher than in December 2005. Hard red spring (HRS) futures sold on the Minneapolis Grain Exchange hit a high of $11.15 on Thursday, three times higher than two years ago."


    Charlie,
    CDN "Designated Area" growers are the worlds residual suppliers... using a dysfunctional handling/marketing system... that refuses to supply wheat at record prices offered... while fertiliser imput prices are up to 50% higher than in the US.

    The worst of both worlds... Clubroot on one side... and the CWB Clubbing us on the other!

    #2
    "Highlights
    Futures markets were chaotic this week as very thin trade brought big swings. Large gains Monday on follow-through strength from last week were wiped out after a USDA report, showing the tightest stocks in recent history, brought a "sell the fact" liquidation. Wednesday locked limit-up in the three exchanges for every old crop position. For the week, SRW for March delivery at the CBOT increased by 58 cents/bu, the KCBOT was up 49 cents/bu and MGE March futures are up 73 cents. Prices for HRS, SW and durum set new record highs again this week, as did HRW. A large increase in biofuel mandates in both the impending farm and energy bills is supporting corn and bean futures. Corn nearbys were up 21 cents/bu and soybeans 37 cents/bu for the week.
    USDA increased its forecast for U.S. exports in this week's WASDE, bringing year-end stocks to the lowest level in 60 years. Between classes, the tight supply situation has become most evident in durum and SW, both nearly four times more expensive than in December 2005. HRS markets are also attempting to ration demand through higher prices as futures are more than twice as high as two years ago. Protein premiums rose substantially this week resulting from the tighter HRS balance sheet.
    Bull spreading was reported (long nearby, short deferred) on improved moisture in the HRW region. Bull spreads in Minneapolis puzzled traders as reports indicate a decline in North American spring wheat acres in 2008, further tightening high protein supplies. Strong prices for barley, canola and peas, combined with lower fertilizer costs, is expected to limit spring wheat area in the coming spring.
    This week's commercial sales were above expectations and again well above levels needed to meet the (increased) USDA export forecast. At 513,800 MT, sales were four times the 133,000 MT needed over the next 25 weeks to reach the 32 MMT export forecast. As expected, Asian demand remains consistent and SW supplies continue to tighten, pushing prices up another 70 cents/bu ($26/MT) this week. Significant origin switching and sales decreases were reported for the week, particularly concerning durum to Nigeria. Durum prices continued to ratchet up however, adding another $10/bu, putting the Gulf program price range at $20.42 to $21.10/bu ($750 to $775/MT).
    News that the Ukraine may open its export registry earlier than previously thought was market neutral. India announcing it would tender next week for 550,000 MT was supportive. Egypt announced two tenders this week, but only booked 30,000 MT of Russian wheat.
    Informa economics estimates that U.S. winter wheat planted area increased 8% over last year. A snow and ice event over the past week in the Plains states has helped replenish badly needed soil moisture. Another storm is expected today. Strategie Grains estimated EU-27 non-durum production up 15% from last year.
    New crop HRS prices continue to gain on corn and soybeans. September '08 delivery HRS (MU08) is at a $4.09/bu premium over December '08 corn, up from $1.54/bu early this summer. The November '08 soybean premium over MU08 contracts has fallen from $3.66/bu in July to $1.92/bu. The SW premium to SRW opened further to $2.96/bu ($109/MT) this week after trading at parity in September.
    Ocean freight rates weakened again this week as trade is slowing for the holidays. USDA reports that containerized grain exports to Asia this fall were 79% higher than 2006 and 149% higher than the 3-year average"

    http://www.uswheat.org/priceReports/doc/1D3E0EECEDBB3801852573B1006F16C3?OpenDocument#

    CWB's comment for the week was...?

    Comment


      #3
      Charlie,

      I find the comments on Containers particularily interesting!

      Container rates Destination ($/metric ton) to:China Philippines
      Chicago $77 $96
      South Asia (Mal/Indon/Phil/Sing $81 $76
      Seattle/Tacoma $36 $59
      Taiwan $96 $91
      Portland,Oregon $42 $66
      South Korea $75 $70
      East Coast (Virginia) $60 $80


      I note Bulk Ocean freight to Japan is down to $75/t shipping from PNW this week!

      Comment

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