News overview & archive

Weather-related adverse effects on Russian grain production in 2024 Grain production in Russia in 2024 will be significantly lower due to various unusual weather conditions. This will result in a significant loss of exports for the global supply, with corresponding consequences for pricing. The main growing regions of the southern and Volga…

Pig census 03 May 2024: fewer farms, stabilization of herds The livestock census on May 3, 2024 revealed a decline in the number of pig farms from the previous year's 16,170 reportable farms to just 15,650 units. This continues the trend of fewer and fewer livestock farms that has been ongoing for more than a decade. In contrast, the stabilization…

EU COM estimates higher EU harvest for 2024 - more barley, less wheat In its monthly June edition, the EU Commission estimates the total EU grain harvest at around 275 million tons (previous year: 270 million tons). Domestic consumption is estimated to be slightly higher at 257 million tons. Almost 48 million tons are forecast for export, of which…

June 24: IGC revises global soybean supply further upwards In its June 24 issue, the International Grains Council (IGC) again revised global soybean production slightly higher than in the previous month. Global production is estimated at 415 million tons (previous year 392 million tons). Global consumption is expected to amount to 404 million tons…

June 2024: IGC updates 2024/25 harvest estimate The International Grains Council (IGC) has updated the global supply situation in the grain sector in its Jun-24 issue. The total harvest is classified as unchanged compared to the previous month, while consumption is expected to increase slightly. Compared to the previous year, production is expected…

MARS slightly reduces yield estimate for EU compared to previous month In its latest June issue, the EU Commission's Agrometeorological Institute (MARS) reduced its climate-based yield estimates for cereals in the EU-27 by an average of 1% compared to the previous month due to recent weather developments. Compared to the 5-year average, the average…

2nd GDT auction in June 2024: -0.5 % The second Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction in June 2024 interrupted the upward trend of the previous auctions with an average of -0.5%. Weak results in the milk powder sector could not be offset by above-average increases in normal butter. The auction volume fell to an unusually low 16,787 tons. Whole milk…

USDA updates global oilseed supply: Production +4.4%, consumption +3.4% The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated the global oilseed supply 2024/25 in its latest June 24 issue. According to this, production is set to increase by +4.4%, while consumption is expected to rise by 3.4%. This means that stocks will increase significantly. At…

Jun-2024: USDA updates world grain market 2024/25: consumption above production. In its latest June issue, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) revised its 1st estimate of world grain supply in May. The latest figures show a harvest of 2,301 million tons, compared to global consumption of 2,311 million tons. The shortfall leads to a reduction in…

COCERAL estimates EU rapeseed harvest -4.6% below previous year In its June issue, the umbrella organization of European grain and oilseed traders (COCERAL) downgraded the EU rapeseed harvest to 19.13 million tonnes. The previous year's result was just over 20 million tons. The main reason for this is the weather-related decline in acreage from 6.2…

COCERAL estimates EU grain harvest 1.5% higher in 2024 than in the previous year In its June issue, the European umbrella organization of grain and oilseed traders (COCERAL) estimated the EU-27 grain harvest in 2024 to be only +1.5% higher than the previous year at 275 million tonnes. The 1st estimate was +1.7 %. This is based on a slightly lower…

FAO: World grain harvest (excl. rice) below previous year, but "still comfortable" In its latest June 2024 edition, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates the world grain harvest (excluding rice) at 2,311 million tons (previous year: 2,317 million tons). Global consumption is estimated at 2,319.6 million tons.…

1st GDT auction in June 2024: + 1.7 % The first June 2024 Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction continued the upward trend of the previous auctions with an average increase of +1.7 %. Significant support came from the forward delivery dates. The auction volume fell to an unusually low 17,637 tons. Whole milk powder (VMP) (approx. 50% auction share)…

China's influence on the global meat market: ASF-related boom phase over - rising trend remains. The recent African swine fever (ASF) epidemic in China led to an extremely strong import of meat in the years 2019 to 2022. At times, the Chinese trade share amounted to around 48% of the global market for pork and around a third for beef. These huge…

MARS estimates yields per hectare as in previous month, but above 5-year level In its latest May 24 issue, the EU Commission's Agrometeorological Institute (MARS) has forecast the expected yields per hectare in the EU countries based on the evaluation of climate data. The individual results are presented in detail in a 50-page brochure with many…

Higher natural gas and corn prices slow down seasonal decline in international urea prices International urea prices, which usually fall as the main fertilizer season draws to a close, have been slowed this year by a temporary rise in natural gas prices and higher corn prices. There is a fundamental market correlation between N prices and energy…

IGC cuts world grain supply 2024/25 - supply situation as it was 10 years ago In its latest May 2024 edition, the International Grains Council (IGC) has significantly reduced global production volumes by -10 million tons compared to the previous month's estimate to 2,312 million tons. However, consumption is estimated to be only -1 million tons…

2nd GDT auction in May 2024: + 3.3 % The second Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction in May 2024 continued the upward trend of the previous auctions with an average increase of +3.3 %. The above-average results for normal butter provided significant support. The auction volume returned to 18,561 tons, as is usual for the season. Whole milk powder (VMP)…

US meat market 2025: less beef, more pork, even more chicken On the occasion of its monthly preview of the US meat market in 2025, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts a stagnating meat market of just under 46 million tons in total in its May issue. However, there are significant differences between the individual types of meat. US…

USDA estimates oilseed production at record level In its latest May issue, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated global oilseed production in 2024-25 at a record level of 687 million tons (previous year 658 million tons). Compared to the previous year, the increase is +4.4 %. Consumption is estimated at 671 million tons. This results in…

1st USDA estimate: World grain market 2024/25 with little change from previous year In its latest May issue, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published an initial estimate of the world grain supply in 2024-25. Global production and consumption are expected to increase only slightly. However, stocks are trending downwards compared to the…

EU COM estimates EU pork market in 2024 unchanged at previous year's level In its latest May 24 issue, the EU Commission estimates that the pork market in 2024 will be little changed from previous, more optimistic forecasts. In 2023, production fell by an average of -6.6 %. The largest declines were observed in Denmark (-19.9%), the Netherlands (…

1st GDT auction in May 2024: + 1.8 % The first Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction in May 2024 confirmed the upward trend of the previous auctions with an average increase of +1.8%. The results for whole milk powder and normal butter provided significant support. The auction volume returned to the usual seasonal level of 19,231 tons. Whole milk powder…

MARS estimates EU wheat yields slightly above average In its new Apr. 24 issue, the EU Commission's Agricultural Meteorological Institute (MARS) has updated its yield forecasts from the previous month based on the climate data evaluation from 1 Mar. to 13 Apr. 2024. The comparisons are made with both the previous year and the 5-year average. In the…

IGC updates forecast for the global grain market 2024/25 The International Grains Council (IGC) has updated its forecast for the global grain market in 2024/25 in its Apr. 24 issue. Production is estimated to be 10 million tons lower than in the previous month at 2,322 million tons. The decisive factor was the reduction in the US harvest. Global…

DRV renews 2024 harvest estimate at 41.23 million tons. The German Raiffeisen Association (DRV) has estimated the German grain harvest at 41.23 million tons in its new Apr.24 issue. Compared to the previous year, the result is -3.3% worse, while the year-on-year decline is -4.5%. The area under cultivation in 2024 is -2.2% below the previous year…

USDA: Global oilseed market situation in 2023/24 hardly changed from the previous month Global oilseed production in 2023/24 is estimated to be unchanged from the previous month at 658.5 million tonnes. Consumption will increase by 1 million tonnes to 648 million tonnes. This means that stocks will only decrease insignificantly and, at 130.6…

USDA slightly updates world grain balance for 2023/24 The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated the global supply situation on the grain market for 2023/24 in its latest April edition. Production was cut by 1 million tonnes compared to the previous month and consumption remained largely unchanged. The documents show a lower ending stock…

Inflation-related increase in decline in meat consumption in Germany For years, there has been a steady, slight decline in meat consumption in Germany. However, in the last 3 years from 2021, this trend has intensified significantly. What is behind this? Meat is one of the higher-quality foods. As a rule, it can be observed that the higher income…

FAO updates world grain harvest 2023/24 and estimates global wheat production 2024 The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has updated the world grain harvest 2023/24 in its April 2024 edition. However, the corrections to the previous month's estimate are minor. Production remains 1.1% higher than last year. Stocks are expected…

GDT auction in April 2024: +2.8% The first April 2024 auction of Global Dairy Trade (GDT) offset the price decline of the previous auction with an average of +2.8%. Whole milk powder and normal butter make a significant contribution to this, sometimes with significant price increases. At 18,737 t, the auction volume continues to decline as is usual…

EU COM estimates the 2024/25 EU grain harvest at 279 million t - consumption unchanged In its most recent March 24 edition, the EU COM estimated the 2024/25 EU grain harvest at just under 279 million t or +3. 4% higher than estimated last year. A slightly increased acreage and slightly higher yield expectations contributed to this. Domestic…

March 2024 MARS: predominantly difficult starting conditions for crops. In its March 24 issue, the EU Commission's Agricultural Meteorological Institute (MARS) has reviewed the previous climate data with a focus on February and March 2024 with a view to the effects on the The development potential of the crops was evaluated. In large parts of…

COCERAL estimates the 2024 EU-27 rapeseed harvest at 19.13 million t: - 4.6% compared to the previous year. In its March 24 issue, the umbrella organization of European agricultural traders (COCERAL) estimates the EU rapeseed harvest at 19.13 million t (previous year 20.5 million t). This means a decrease of -4.6% compared to the previous year. The…

COCERAL estimates the 2024 EU-27 harvest at 275 million t: +1.7% compared to the previous year. In its March 24 issue, the umbrella organization of European agricultural traders (COCERAL) estimates the EU grain harvest at 275 million t (previous year 270 million .t). This means an increase of +1.7% compared to the previous year. However, EU wheat…

GDT auction March 2024 repeats in negative territory The second March 2024 auction of Global Dairy Trade (GDT) continued the price decline of the previous auction with an average of -2.8% . Whole and skimmed milk powder, with consistently high price discounts, play a significant role in this. At 19,655 t, the auction volume continues to fall, as is…

Grain prices back on the path to fundamental-oriented pricing?! In the past 3 years, grain prices worldwide have come under the extraordinary influence of the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine, resulting in price explosions of unprecedented proportions. The consequences of this development have diminished over time. After the last price…

IGC corrects world soybean harvest 2023/24 - forecast 2024/25 The 2023/24 soybean harvest will be reduced to around 390 million t due to the weather-related adverse harvest in Brazil. Consumption is reset to a similar extent. This means that the supply situation changes only insignificantly. The IGC has issued a preliminary estimate for the 2024/25…

IGC corrects world grain harvest 2023/24 - forecast 2024/25 The International Grain Council (IGC) updated the global supply situation on the grain market for 2023/24 in its latest March issue. Production was cut by 6 million t compared to the previous month and consumption was reduced by 11 million t. Based on the documents, the final inventory is…

The 2024 rapeseed harvest in Germany remains below the previous year's level . The German Raiffeisen Association (DRV) has based on the Stat. Federal Office of December 22, 2023 for winter crops made a first rapeseed harvest estimate for 2024. The DRV has partly extrapolated the forecasts of yields per hectare using several years of experience. The…

DRV: first harvest estimate for 2024 - result below previous years The German Raiffeisen Association (DRV) has based on the Stat. Federal Office of December 22, 2023 made a first harvest estimate for winter crops for 2024. The DRV has partly extrapolated the forecasts of yields per hectare using several years of experience. The result of the total…

China's declining import demand for dairy products is narrowing global price scope . China's import trade for dairy products is very important: in the case of whole milk powder, the middle country accounts for almost 50% of world trade imports, for skimmed milk powder it is almost 25%, for butter it is 22% However, in the case of cheese only 8% is…

USDA cuts oilseed market compared to previous month The latest USDA estimate of oilseed production for 2023/24 is somewhat more subdued than last month. Total production will be reduced by 1 million t to 658 million t. Global consumption remains unchanged at 648 million tonnes. Year-on-year production increased by 20 million tonnes to a record…

USDA Mar-24 Report: 2023/24 Wheat and Corn Supply Slightly Lower Month-on-Month. In the new March report, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) only corrects its previous month's estimate for the global grain market in a few points. A slightly larger wheat harvest is more than offset by even higher consumption. In the case of corn production, on…

GDT auction in March 2024: -2.3% The first March 2024 auction of Global Dairy Trade (GDT) broke off the price increase of the previous auctions with an average of -2.3%. Whole and skimmed milk powder make a significant contribution to this, sometimes with significant price discounts. At 21,235 t, the auction volume continues to decline as is usual…

End of February 2024: EU COM slightly corrects EU grain balance As of February 29, 2024, the EU Commission (EU COM) updated its monthly grain balance. The corrections are on a small scale. EU grain production is estimated at 269.8 million t (previous year 266.7 million t). This includes wheat production of 132.6 million t. The corn harvest is…

Europe's climate at the beginning of the year (too) wet and mild in the north - too warm and dry in the south The EU-COM Agricultural Meteorological Institute (MARS) evaluated the climate data from January to mid-February 2024 in its monthly edition. The classification of the key figures is based on the long-term average values for these two months…

GDT auction in February 2024: +0.5% The second February 2024 auction of Global Dairy Trade (GDT) partially continued the price increase of the previous auctions with an average of +0.5%. This time, a significant share of this is made up of pure butter fat with above-average markups. At 23,306 t, the auction volume continues to decline as is usual…

IGC estimates world grain market 2023/24 - wheat more scarce, corn better supplied In its most recent February 24 issue, the International Grain Council (IGC) assessed the world grain market according to the latest information. There have been few changes from the Jan. 24 estimate. Compared to the previous year , global grain production (excluding…

European weather conditions with big differences While wet and cold weather prevailed in the central and eastern regions of Northern Europe in the two months around the turn of the year, it was predominantly too warm in the southern regions and there is still a pronounced rainfall deficit. In some regions there is even a pronounced drought, such as…

Less pork in the world The global pork market has been severely affected over the last 5 years by the ASF outbreak in China and the subsequent rapid rebuilding of animal populations. At first, a doubling of Chinese imports caused unusual price increases, but these subsequently fell back to lower prices with an equally rapid decline in imports. In…

GDT auction in Jan. 2024: +2.3% The second Jan. 2024 auction of Global Dairy Trade (GDT) continued the price increase of the previous auctions with an average of +2.3%. A significant part of this is made up of pure butter fat and normal butter with high price markups. The auction volume continues to decline due to the season at 24,909 t. Whole milk…

USDA: Global meat market stagnating in 2024 - beef stable, less pork, more chicken The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a preview of the global meat market in its Jan. 24 quarterly issue. In total, all major production areas are not expected to change significantly in 2024 compared to the previous year. In the case of the pork market…

Oilseeds: status and prospects (1) IGC with soybean estimate: Despite a slight reduction in the previous month's estimate, the IGC's forecast of global soybean production of 392 million tonnes remains at a record level. The decisive factor is the Brazilian harvest that has just started with a slightly reduced estimate of 154 million t (previous…

IGC in Jan. 2024: Status and prospects for the global wheat market in 2024 In its most recent Jan. 2024 edition, the International Grain Council (IGC) again slightly corrected the supply situation in the global wheat market and ventured an outlook for the year 2024/25. On the production side, the global supply of wheat is reported to be slightly…

Jan 1st GDT auction starts the new year 2024 with +1.2%. Whole milk powder (VMP) (around 50% auction share) continues the price increase of the two previous auctions with an average of +2.5%. Surcharges were implemented for all delivery months. China, as the main buyer, has made a stronger appearance on the market again. The VMP price level is at…

Livestock count from November 3rd, 2023: The decline in pig numbers has stopped for the time being. As of November 3rd, 2023, the German pig population has increased again by +1.3% compared to the May 23 count. However, it is -0.7% less year-on-year . For sows, there was only an insignificant increase of +0.25%. However, the number of pig-keeping…

COCERAL expects lower EU grain harvest in 2024 The umbrella organization of European grain and oilseed traders (COCERAL) expects a significant decline of -5.4 million t for the EU grain harvest in 2024 compared to the previous year. The crucial background for the early forecast is the fact that in important production areas such as France, Germany…

USDA: low growth in global milk production in 2024 In its half-yearly December issue, the US Department of Agriculture published its new assessment of global milk production development in 2024 . The overall result represents a comparatively small increase of +0.4% compared to the previous year. However, the results vary in the individual…

GDT auction in December 2023: +2.3% The second December 2023 auction of Global Dairy Trade (GDT) saw a further price increase with an average of +2.3%. Regular butter with above-average markups makes a significant contribution to this. At 27,379 t, the auction volume continues to decline noticeably due to the season. Whole milk powder (VMP) (around…