Paris wheat extends slide to lowest since 2021

Kitco Media
By Reuters
Published:
Updated:
Reuters
PARIS, March 21 (Reuters) - Euronext wheat fell again on Tuesday to reach its lowest in nearly 18 months as improved supply prospects and a rally in equities and crude oil led investors to sell wheat, dealers said. The extent of the fall surprised dealers, however, given a more optimistic mood in financial markets after steps to shore up banks and with expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve may soften its interest rate stance on Wednesday. May milling wheat on the Paris-based Euronext was down 2.2% at 252.25 euros ($271.57) a tonne by 1707 GMT. It earlier dropped to 251.50 euros, the lowest front-month price since late September 2021. Technical pressure increased after Euronext broke successive chart floors, while a sharp rise in the euro against the dollar further dented export sentiment as cheaper Black Sea supplies were set to keep flowing. A grain export corridor from Ukraine was renewed on Saturday though Russia said it only agreed to a 60-day extension. "The extension of the Ukrainian shipping agreement has generated more cheap sales offers of Ukrainian wheat this week at well under $300 FOB a tonne," a German trader said. Sales offers on Tuesday included a panamax shipment of Ukrainian 11.5% protein wheat of up to 30,000 tonnes for March/ first half April shipment at $285 FOB per tonne from a corridor port. Traders said Ukrainian 11.5% protein wheat was offered in export markets in 30,000 tonne shipments for March/April as cheap as $304 c&f Egypt and Tunisia, or $305 c&f Algeria. "I think offers this cheap could create a demand side problem as importers may delay purchases in the hope prices will fall even further," the trader said. Jordan on Tuesday made no purchase in a tender for 120,000 tonnes of wheat.


In Germany, standard 12% protein wheat for March delivery in Hamburg was offered for sale at level the Euronext May contract, with buyers seeking about 2 euros under. In France, selling by farmers ahead of spring deadlines to release grain stored by cooperatives added supply pressure on Euronext, dealers added. Euronext rapeseed extended losses. May futures set a new two-year low for a front-month price at 440.00 euros, as a surplus in Europe hung over the market.
($1 = 0.9289 euros) (Reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris and Michael Hogan in Hamburg; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)

Messaging: gus.trompiz.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.