Wheat prices rise due to concerns about the continuation of the "grain corridor"

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U.S. wheat futures rose Friday amid fears that a grain agreement allowing Russian and Ukrainian exports from Black Sea ports could collapse amid nearly a year of escalating war between the two countries, traders commented.

Corn and soybean futures were also strong, with corn following gains in wheat and soybeans supported by worries about a drought that has cut crops in Argentina.

A 3.8% rise in the active Chicago Board of Trade's soft red winter wheat futures contract, its most daily rise since Oct. 31, pushed prices to their highest constant level since Jan. 3.

"Wheat has been the leader related to rising tensions in Ukraine, which could slow Ukrainian exports and the 2023 crop, and could also lead to tougher sanctions against Russia," said Mark Polovoy, senior account manager at Archer Financial Services .

March CBOT soft winter red wheat futures rose 28-3/4 cents to $7.86 a bushel.

Ukraine's Agriculture Ministry has proposed an increase in the minimum tonnage of ships carrying grain and vegetable oil out of the country. Russia's ambassador to the UN said Moscow failed to export grain under the Black Sea Grain Agreement.

Traders commented that some coverage of short positions probably supported wheat as well, but it was impossible to know the extent because the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission was unable to publish its weekly report on traders' positions because of a demander program attack.

March CBOT soybean futures rose 23-1/4 cents to $15.42-1/2 per bushel, and March CBOT corn futures rose 9-3/4 cents to $6.80-1 /2 per bushel.

Expectations for a record soybean crop in Brazil eased concerns about losses in Argentina, but rains threatened to delay harvest and the country's busy safrinha corn beyond the ideal time frame.


PigUA.info by bizagro.com.ua