China

Chinese Researchers Discover Recessive Virus-Resistant Wheat Gene (Mar 9)

In China, researchers discovered a gene that can enhance the resistance to wheat yellow mosaic disease (WYMV), which caused significant crop yield losses. The wheat yellow mosaic disease is prevalent in China and is caused by a soil-borne virus.

India

India’s Wheat Output Dented by Heatwave, Could Limit Government Stock Building (Mar 6)

In Northern and Central India, a heatwave has damaged grains and dented the country's wheat production for a consecutive year. The reduced production and lower inventories may force the second-biggest grain producer to allow imports after banning exports in 2022. 

Heatwave May Hit Wheat Output, Growth May Be Far Below Expected, Analysts Fear Price Rise (Mar 10)

In India, a heatwave was forecasted for the wheat crop output, limiting the growth below the estimated volumes, increasing wheat prices, and prompting government restrictions on exports. February 2022 was the hottest month since 1901, and more heatwaves were forecasted for March-May. 

Russia

Damping and Increased Sparseness of Winter Crops Noted in the Hydro Meteorological Center (Mar 7)

In the Center and the Volga region, a warm February affected the wintering of crops, and the conditions for dampening appeared. The growth of plant samples taken from the fields on January 25 showed increased sparseness, an unsatisfactory condition in plants, and it was observed in 13% of the winter wheat samples.

The Ministry of Agriculture of Russia Does Not Plan to Adjust the Export Duty on Grain (Mar 7)

The Ministry of Agriculture of Russia announced it does not plan to adjust the export duty on grain until the end of the current agricultural year (through June 30, 2023) and increase grain purchases for the intervention fund.

The Price of Russian Wheat Fell Below USD 300/Ton (Mar 9)

In W9, the price of Russian wheat with 12.5% protein dropped to USD 294-298/t from USD 300-303/t in W8. FOB prices decreased below USD 300/t for the first time since August 2021. Russian wheat is getting more affordable amid fierce competition from other exporting countries.

United States

Weekly USDA Wheat Rating Decline in Kansas, Improve in Oklahoma (Mar 8)

In the United States, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that 17% of the winter wheat in Kansas is in good to excellent condition, down from 19% a week earlier. US farmers planted 36.950M acres (14.953M hectares) of winter wheat for 2023, the most in eight years. But dry conditions have threatened crop prospects in portions of the Southern plains wheat belt.

Wheat Prices Recover From 17-Month Low (Mar 9)

Chicago wheat prices increased as the market recovered from a 17-month low on support from a drought that limited the United States' output potential. In the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, wheat rose 0.4% to USD 6.97-3/4 per bushel after sliding to its weakest since September 2021. 

Canada

Canadian Wheat Exports Reach New High (Mar 9)

In Canada, wheat exports totaled 2.7M tons in January, an increase of 1.92M MoM, surpassing the previous record of 2.45M tonnes in January 2021. January deliveries were the highest since July 2022. 

Australia

Australia Has Raised Its 2022/23 Wheat Harvest Forecast to a Record Level (Mar 7)

In Australia, experts forecast a record of 39.2M tons of wheat production for the FY 2022/23. The market estimates the harvest may exceed 40M tons, as rains caused by the climate phenomenon of La Niña have significantly improved wheat yields.

Australia’s January Crop Exports Confirm Shift to Wheat (Mar 9)

In January, Australia shipped a record 3.34M tonnes of wheat, representing a 26% increase YoY and above the previous monthly records of around 2.6mn-2.8mn t/month. Demand from China drove the surge in wheat exports. Chinese buyers took 945,000t or 28% of the total.

Australia Increased Its Wheat Exports by More Than 20% In January (Mar 9)

Australia exported 3.3M tonnes of wheat in January, an increase of 25% from December 2022, and up 26% from the same period in 2021. The total volume of shipments of Australian wheat since the beginning of MY 2022/23 reached 9.8M tons, an increase of 25% compared to the corresponding period.

Wheat Production in Australia in 2023/24 My May Be Reduced by Almost 30% (Mar 9)

In Australia, analysts predict a reduction in wheat production in MY 2023/24 by 28% per year, to 28.2M tons. The crop potential was reported to be negatively impacted by a projected drought in the country due to the El Niño weather event. Against the background of the expected reduction in the harvest, the forecast for the export of Australian wheat in 2023/24 MY was announced at 22.5 million tons, a decrease of 20% per year.

Brazil

Wheat Prices Fell by 2.33% in Brazil During February (Mar 6)

In Rio Grande Do Sul, the average indication in FOB inland was USD 265.69/ton (BRL 1,405/ton), a decrease of 41.1 MoM. In Paraná, FOB indications closed at an average of USD 312.58/ton (BRL 1,653/ton), a drop of 1.6% compared to the same period in February.

Brazil Approves Cultivation of GMO Wheat (Mar 6)

Brazil has become the second country in the world after Argentina to approve the cultivation of Genetically Modified Wheat (GMO), following a decision by the nation’s biosecurity agency. The approval request was made by a plant genetics company, a partner in Brazil of Argentina’s Bioceres, which has developed a variety of water-stress resistant GMO wheat known as HB4.

Egypt

Egypt Withdraws From UN Grain Treaty (Mar 10)

Egypt, one of the world's biggest wheat importers, has announced that it will withdraw at the end of June from a decades-old UN grain treaty. Egypt's withdrawal from the multinational grain trade convention (GTC), which promotes market transparency to promote trade cooperation, follows a period of turmoil in grain markets linked to the war in Ukraine and concerns over global food security. 

Global

In 2023, the Wheat Harvest Will Reach the Second Highest Indicator in History (Mar 6)

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has predicted that the world production of wheat in 2023 will amount to 784M tons, and may become the second-highest indicator in history. 

Iran

Wheat Production in Iran up 28% In 2022 (Mar 6)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported wheat production in Iran increased by 28% in 2022, ranking the Islamic Republic as the 13th top strategic grain producer in the world. Iranian farmers produced 13M tons of wheat in 2022, an increase of 2.9M tons from the previous year's production of 10.1M tons. 

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Retains Third Place Among Countries Importing Russian Wheat (Mar 7)

Kazakhstan imported more than 2M tons of wheat from Russia this season, which retains its third place in the ranking of the largest importing countries. 

Kazakhstan’s Wheat and Barley Production Improves in 2022/23 (Mar 8)

In Kazakhstan, wheat production improved in 2022/23, experiencing a 39% increase from the previous year. Wheat production is estimated at 16.4M tonnes, the highest since 2017/18, with improved weather. Kazakhstan exported 3.7M tonnes of wheat in 2022/23, a 31% increase from the previous year. 

Kazakhstan to Supply Tajikistan With Wheat and Flour in Exchange for Onions (Mar 9)

Kazakhstan and Tajikistan intend to conclude a mutual agreement on the export of wheat and flour from the Republic of Kazakhstan and the supply of early vegetables, such as onions from the Republic of Tajikistan.

Kenya

Import of Duty Free Food in Kenya to Cushion Drought Effect (Mar 6)

The Kenyan government through the Kenya National Trading Association (KNTA), issued a duty-free exemption code for the importation of the following commodities: 150,000MT of rice, 125,000MT of cooking oil, 200,000MT of sugar, 25,000MT of wheat, and 80,000MT of beans. This is due to the acute shortage of these commodities caused by the drought experienced in the country.