Ukraine looks to export corn to US

Ukraine is looking to begin exports of corn to the U.S., taking advantage of the recent U.S. drought that left domestic supplies short, according to the country's Agriculture Minister Mykola Prysyazhnyuk.
Being able to export to the U.S. would verify that Ukraine's corn meets appropriate global standards, said Prysyazhnyuk. The two countries are currently discussing sanitary requirements.

Ukraine increased its corn plantings for the 2012 harvest by 26 percent to 4.4 million hectares, according to government data. Ukraine plans to export about 12 million metric tons of corn in the year ending August 31, 2013. Overall, it plans to increase its corn plantings by another 5 percent to 7 percent in 2013.
The country's domestic corn stockpiles declined as of December 1 to 11.2 million metric tons from 13.9 million tons in 2011.

Russia may export record wheat, corn, legumes in 2011-2012

Russia may set a record for wheat, corn and legume exports in the 2011–2012 marketing year ending June 30, according to the Institute for Agricultural Markets.
The previous record for wheat shipments was 18.1 million metric tons, set in 2009–2010, but projections expect the current year to see 20 million metric tons of wheat leave the country. Corn exports have reached 1.2 million metric tons in the current season, only 100,000 metric tons short of the previous record, set in 2008–2009. Exports of legumes reached an all-time high of 600,000 metric tons, according to the institute. Total exports for 2011–2012 are expected to reach 26 million metric tons.
Carryover-stocks of wheat may reach as much as 11.5 million metric tons by the time the new season starts on July 1, which may allow Russia to export 17 million to 18 million metric tons next season, provided weather conditions let farmers reap a similar crop to the 2011–2012 harvest. Total grains exports in 2012–2013 are seen at between 21 million and 22 million metric tons, according to the institute.

Russia grain exports increase 32 percent over 2010

Russia’s grain exports increased 32 percent in 2011, to 18.3 million metric tons, according to the country's Federal State Statistics Service Rosstat. Russia used 87.6 million tons of grain in 2011, 12 percent more than in 2010, according to Rosstat. This number included 10.7 million metric tons of seeds for sowing, 4.9 percent more than in 2010; 10.7 million metric tons of grains for animal feed, 4 percent more than in 2010; and 47.9 million metric tons of grains refined for the food industry and animal feed, 9 percent more than in 2010.

Russian grain export ban highlights need for domestic supply

Russia’s temporary export ban on grain emphasizes the need to maintain productive agriculture in home markets, said the United Kingdom's National Farmers' Union (NFU).
“Wheat prices are up by 70% on prices in June this year, rising 11% on Thursday, August 5 alone," said NFU combinable crops board Chairman Ian Backhouse. "Heavy rain is being blamed for wiping out the wheat crop in Canada and today’s announcement from Russia comes after the worst drought in more than a hundred years, which has devastated crops both there and in the Ukraine.”
Backhouse said it was impossible to speculate on the impact that the dramatic market movement would have, and added that it served to show how important it was to maintain and develop home production capacity in grain when faced with unpredictable supply from overseas.
“Events in this past week, resulting in extreme market movements, underline the importance of a vibrant domestic grain industry and a strong European agricultural policy that focuses on delivering a more productive, competitive sector to ensure food security both at home and abroad,” said Backhouse.
Drought and wildfires are thought to have devastated more than a third of the cultivable land in Russia, and the export ban is due to start on August 15.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has described the move as “expedient” to keep domestic prices low and to maintain cattle numbers.

Russia to increase grain exports

According to reports, Russia is closer to its goal of increased grain exports. Black Earth Farming Ltd. is expected to export grain to Japan and expand grain production by more than 500,000 metric tons this year.
Russia plans to double its exports in the next 10 to 15 years by developing fallow land. The country is promoting the endeavor with loans to support additional grain terminals and silos. Black Earth also plans forward sales with traders and fertilizer suppliers both at home and abroad.In Stockholm trading, Black Earth rose 1 krona, or 4.1%, to close at 25.70 kronor.