On the US wheat exchanges, the red signs predominated in the middle of the week. In Chicago, SWR wheat for September was down 1.75 US cents and closed at 502.25 US cents/bushel. December futures lost 2.50 US cents and closed at 519.50 US cents/bushel. In Kansas City, HRW wheat also fell. The December contract fell by 4.00 US cents to 506.25 US cents/bushel. Spring wheat in Minneapolis also closed weaker, with losses of 2.75 to 4.00 US cents.
The US markets remained directionless in the middle of the week, weighed down by low trading volumes after the holiday on Monday. The USDA's weekly export report is not due until today. Expectations are between 350,000 and 700,000 tons for the week ending August 28.
A ray of hope came from the monthly statistics: according to the latest Census data, 2.305 million tons of wheat were exported in July, an increase of over 34 percent compared to June and the highest monthly figure in five years. Nevertheless, restraint dominated. The market is now waiting for fresh impetus from foreign trade.
On Euronext, December wheat lost €0.50 to €189.75 per tonne.
