Grain and feed commodities started 2012 on a stronger note as a prolonged hot, dry spell over the Latin American grain belt sparked fears of major crop losses from this key exporting region. Some analysts drew comparisons with 2008/09 when similar weather chopped more than 17% - 14m tonnes of maize and 20m
3. Cut costs, spare the environment. High energy prices, increasing cost pressures,
and a keener awareness of the need to protect the climate are making energy
efficiency a core corporate task. With their Energy Saving Service, Bühler specia-
lists offer effective support. In three steps – from an assessment of the current
situation and validation to expert implementation – your production processes
one third this season and why prices in both nagging Euro-Zone debt crisis lurches on without Against that, Ukraine might lose 25-30% of its
markets were 20% cheaper in January 2012 than real resolution but maybe with a little less impact winter wheat crop. Assuming more of this land will become much more economical, technologically optimized and environmen-
this time last year .
That trend may continue. World consumption
from the markets. Financial pundits continue
to warn of potentially severe repercussions for
went to maize than spring wheat that could mean
5m or 6m less wheat next summer from this
tally friendly. Don’t settle for compromises – trust the longtime experience and
of wheat may be up by 27.5m tonnes or 4% global economic growth and thus on demand for source, However, even from this year’s bumper extensive know-how of the Bühler Energy Experts. We would be pleased to as-
this season but production is growing faster, so food, feed and fuel commodities. It has been a big crop, Ukraine is only expected to raise exports
stocks will rise. In fact, the current USDA forecast restraint on grain and oilseed bulls but markets from 4m to 7m tonnes – not the biggest factor sist you. www.buhlergroup.com
(for June 30 2012) is for a world carryover of seem to have grown tired of listening to this in the current highly competitive export market.
210m tonnes – 31% of consumption needs story. A steep drop in demand for ocean freight More important may be whether Russia,
(about 16 weeks supply). Some analysts even and lower shipping costs for grain also suggests Kazakhstan and European countries manage to
put them higher than the all-time record 211m something is slowing down. Yet the total export repeat last year’s good yields and whether the
of 1999/2000. trade estimates for the major grains and oilseeds US, Canada (which plans to raise are by 12% !) Bühler AG, Grain Processing Customer Service, CH-9240 Uzwil, Switzerland, T +41 71 955 30 40,
At the same time, the International Grains in 2011/12 (ends June 30 for wheat, Sep 30 for and Australia get the right weather for plenty of service.gp@buhlergroup.com, www.buhlergroup.com
Council is forecasting world wheat sowings 1.7% coarse grains) remain relatively robust. good milling quality wheat.
higher for 2011/12 crops. If yields hold steady, Meanwhile, the speculators who played such a The current supply/demand situation for these
that could deliver the first world crop in excess large part in record grain and oilseed prices over grades looks better than a few months ago, when
of 700m tonnes. the last two or three years are still there but a US Dark Northern Spring wheat for export from
Steady yields might be a tall order for some less strident force, having not got the profits they the Gulf was trading fob terms at $420/430 per Energy Saving
countries. Last year’s world average wheat expected last year for investments in wheat and tonne (hitting a high of $579 in the summer).
yield was a record 3.1 tonnes/hectare (+7%) soyabean futures at least. We can expect some The January 2012 cost has fallen to a 13-month Service – optimal
eclipsing a slight decline in sowings. This winter,
East European and US crops have dryness issues
banks and hedge funds to continue trying to
talk prices back up at the first hint of a weather
low of $366/tonne.
Whether or not the world gets a 700m or energy efficiency.
that could work against maximum potential. The problem, especially for maize with its record 650m tonne wheat crop for the coming season,
EU has also been short-changed on rains in some low stock/use ratios. But aside of the Argentine it will also start with massive carryover stocks
south/eastern member states. Nonetheless, drought factor, 2012 does not at this stage look from this year, equal to 16 weeks’ consumption. Cut costs: Reduction of operating costs
there is an overall impression of ‘generally like a promising year for the funds to gamble If the crop does reach the upper end of forecasts, by higher efficiency of infrastructure,
favourable’ conditions around the main northern again on price rises. a burdensome wheat supply may have to be improved energy utilization rate, and
hemisphere wheat belt. Indeed, some countries, priced lower to raise its share of the feed ration fine-tuned processes. Possibility to
especially Australia, Germany, Canada and the
Ukraine, might also expect a bit more luck with
Main commodity highlights since – unless of course, maize crops in the Americas
or elsewhere do run into serious problems.
claim financial support by governmental
grain quality – i.e. better summer growing/harvest our last review EU wheat prices as reflected on the Paris promotion programs.
weather after two years of unusually challenging futures market dropped from a high of �209/
conditions. Will wheat prices drop back? tonne in early January to �194 a week later, Spare the environment: Production
This combination – big crop, huge stocks, Although not directly affected by the South then back to the �208 again recently. It seems processes will be more sustainable and
bigger sowings, questions why the Chicago American drought threat, wheat joined the end- remarkable that the European markets are trading environmentally friendly by slashing
futures complex should be forecasting wheat year rally in soyabeans and maize, even rising so high against the wheat supply backdrop. Back in
carbon emissions. Green image gua-
prices 11.5% higher at the end of 2012 than faster than the latter as funds who got into the December, for example, EU March milling wheat
they are now. Consumers will rightly question habit of selling this surplus market were forced could have been bought for just �179.75/tonne. ranteed.
the reliability of this futures ‘price revelation’, to buy back some of these positions. There was London feed wheat futures at the same time
given that this time last year, Chicago wheat was also much talk of wheat’s value as a feedgrain were around £140.50/tonne but have recently Single-source service: Assessment
forecasting $8.55/bushel for end-2011 compared rising if Latin American weather did cut supplies breached £168.50. Moreover, feed demand in at local site, professional consulting,
with the actual price with which the year end of and drive up prices of maize. the UK has been unusually slow for the time of
presentation of different options, imple-
of $6.45¼. Chicago futures ‘price discovery’ was European wheat prices had to follow the year with compounders reportedly intent on
mentation of the optimal variant, regular
just as wrong on maize. A year ago it saw a 10% US/world trend in first half January with added making sales than wheat and other commodities.
drop in prices over 2011. Despite a 40m tonne support from the weak Euro which dropped to However, markets here are largely following efficiency checks – all this will be done
(5%) recovery in world output, values actually 15-month lows against the US$ at one point. This the US response to Argentine weather/crop by experienced Bühler experts.
rose 15% amid the US crop shortfall and China’s could boost EU export sales prospects although reports with the other eye on Euro-zone issues
return as a major importer. there has been little sign of any incoming trade and their effect on the single currency’s value Individual design: Modular design al-
While still on the futures markets, we might bonanza yet amid still plentiful supplies from versus the dollar. More volatility is likely ahead
lows an individual selection from among
also question why, if maize is the main factor North and South America, Australia and CIS as these issues are resolved (or not) although
holding wheat up as most trade analysts accept, countries. some analysts are looking for a possible further different detailing levels. Individual
wheat should be forecasting a 17% premium over The USDA’s US wheat planting estimates were slide in EU soft milling markets into 2012 due to proposals for solutions on the basis of
the coarse grain by the end of 2012? Shouldn’t it also bearish (up 3% on last year’s) larger than the ongoing weight of export competition and your specific plant.
be the other way around? expected and focused on hard red winter wheat the possibility this will lead to end-season wheat
As well as the ‘fundamentals’ (supply/demand (+6%), the mainstay of US exports and a top stocks turning out larger than expected.
issues) above, grain and feed markets continue indicator of world bread wheat value. If US spring Russia’s aggressive early season export
to keep an eye on ‘macro-economic factors that wheat plantings went up by the same amount campaign – a key factor in setting low world
might influence physical demand, speculative and national average wheat yields returned to and EU wheat prices - appears to be easing now
activity etc. Over the least few months these the 2010 level (46.3bu/acre), the crop would be as most of the freely available quality grain gets
factors have been broadly bearish for prices. The closer to 60m than last year’s 54.4m. used up and its domestic and export prices rise. Innovations for a better world.
36 | January - february 2012 Grain &feed millinG technoloGy
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