Traders are currently trying to speculate on the crisis in the Red Sea, the growth of world freight, and other global problems to prove that the price of wheat and maize in Ukraine should be lower than it is now. Experts made such an assumption of the analytical center of the agricultural cooperative PUSK, created within the framework of the Ukrainian Agricultural Council, the press service of the UAC reported on 24th January.
Wheat stocks in Ukraine at a sufficient level
Analysts note that as of 22nd January Ukraine has exported more than 1 million tonnes of wheat since the beginning of the month. In total, traders have contracted 1.5 million tonnes of grain in January, and February sales continue to be quite active – 1.3-1.4 million tonnes of wheat have already been contracted. There is also a small discount for March. The situation in the maize market is similar. 3.2 million tonnes of grain have been contracted for January, 2.8 million tonnes for February, and 1 million tonnes for March.
Prices have not fallen significantly
Experts from the analytical center of the PUSK agricultural cooperative said: “There has been almost no reduction in importers’ prices. Egypt has been buying maize at $215-220/t and continues to do so. European prices are also stable. Even the arrival of our major exporters at the port of Constanta last week and the start of selling large volumes of this crop has not significantly reduced prices. Although here too traders are trying to understate costs significantly,” he said.
At the end of January, maize was selling for €150-152/t in the Danube ports and €138-143/t in the Odessa ports. “Prices for this crop are expected to rise in February,” analysts said.