Deferred positions for 2023 crop delivery outperformed nearby months as they had on Thursday. Euronext has lacked clear direction this week after rebounding from an 11-month low in late January.
Chicago wheat eased on Friday as the dollar surged after much stronger than expected U.S. jobs data. The data tempered expectations of an approaching end to
interest rate hikes, hopes fuelled by U.S. Federal Reserve
comments this week about disinflationary signs. In France, wheat export premiums have eased this week during
a lull in demand following a brisk first half of the country's
export season. Egypt's tender on Thursday further dampened export sentiment
in western Europe.
"Russian exporters are still able to push out over half a
million tonnes for quick shipment starting at the end of this
month," one German trader said.
"If EU exporters were hoping that higher shipping costs
could compensate for cheap Russian FOB prices, the tender showed
this is not the case."
Standard 12% protein wheat for February delivery in Hamburg
was offered for sale at a premium of about 11 euros over the
Euronext March contract, but with little purchase interest.
Colder weather forecast in Europe next week was seen as
favourable for crops, with chilly temperatures potentially
strengthening plants after mild spells this winter while not
projected to bring severe frosts.
($1 = 0.9232 euros)
(Reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris and Michael Hogan in
Hamburg; Editing by Alexander Smith)