Summary
Since August, the auctions of rotation grain by
branches of Sinograin in various places have been very intensive. Since late
August, the transaction rate has been at a relatively high level. Entering
September, the market supply is still loose. The market transaction price has
fallen slightly compared with August. At the same time, downstream enterprises
mainly replenish stocks based on rigid demand. Spot transactions are relatively
sluggish, making corn prices lack upward momentum.
Factors of Price Decline
Influence of weather factors:
Recently, water-soaked corn in Northeast China has been harvested and put
on the market in succession. It has low test weight, high mildew content and
moisture, but it has a relatively obvious price advantage. It continues to flow
into the market for circulation. Under the pressure of repaying tripartite
funds, some trading entities continue to ship. Deep-processing and feed
enterprises have an obvious wait-and-see attitude and mainly consume their own
inventories. The market sentiment is weak and the price is adjusted downward
weakly. In terms of new crops, there is less precipitation and higher
temperature in Northeast production areas, which is conducive to draining
moisture and reducing waterlogging in fields with waterlogging in the early
stage and is beneficial to the formation of corn crop yield.
Influence of inventory factors:
The corn inventory of downstream feed enterprises has increased and the
spot trading volume is low.
In September, the market enters the season of alternating old and new. The
remaining high-quality inventory corn has decreased. At present, the quantity
of fresh corn on the market is still relatively small. The corn inventory of
feed and breeding enterprises in sales areas has gradually increased. In late
August, the corn inventory of large and medium-sized feed enterprises in
southern sales areas was 20-30 days. In early September, the corn inventory of
most enterprises increased to 30-40 days. In the inland market of Central
China, Hubei spring corn was mostly purchased in the early stage. In the South
China market, due to geographical advantages, Northeast corn is mainly
purchased. Generally speaking, the southern sales area market has weak demand
for Northeast spot corn.
Source: China Grain Net.
Future Outlook and Challenges
Supply aspect: Currently, the main holders of grain in corn-producing areas still have a
certain amount of surplus grain. At the same time, new corn in some planting
areas in Northeast and North China has begun to be harvested successively and
is continuously flowing into the market, with supply pressure continuously
rising. For example, new-season corn in Liaoning has been put on the market,
and new-season corn in Heilongjiang region will also be supplied successively
from late September to early October. In addition, Sinograin continuously
releases corn grain sources. Coupled with measures such as rotational grain and
auctions of imported corn, market supply is further increased, making it
difficult to reverse the pattern of supply exceeding demand in the short term.
Impact of expected production reduction: This year, most areas in North China experienced drought in the early
summer, floods in the later period, and rainy weather during the pollination
period. There is a strong expectation of production reduction for corn. Corn in
some low-lying areas in Northeast China also has an expected production
reduction. If the reduction is large, it may alleviate the supply pressure in
the market to a certain extent and provide support for corn prices.
Seasonal changes in demand: With the arrival of the fourth quarter, industries such as pig farming
enter the traditional peak season, and feed demand is expected to increase,
which will have a certain pulling effect on corn prices. However, it is still
necessary to pay attention to the recovery status of the pig farming industry
and the procurement strategies of feed enterprises.
Policy factors: Changes in government agricultural policies, subsidies, tariffs, and
import and export restrictions will also affect corn prices. For example,
government support policies for corn cultivation or regulatory policies for
imported corn may all change the supply and demand pattern of the corn market.
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