Rainfall in the US, rainfall deficit in Australia and central Brazil remain the main factors influencing markets

The Midwest and the Southern and Central Plains of the United States received very productive rainfall last week, which will improve the condition of winter crops and facilitate the planting of spring crops. However, temperatures, especially in the North, remained low, which did not allow for increased planting. This week, temperatures are expected to rise and another wave of precipitation will allow for accelerated planting of soybeans and corn.

In the Canadian prairies, cold air is delaying soil warming and mass sowing of spring crops, so the window for work is narrowing. This week, temperatures are forecast to rise and seeding will intensify, which will be facilitated by sufficient soil moisture reserves.

Central Brazil has begun a season of dry and hot weather, but rains in the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso in late April have slightly replenished moisture reserves, although temperatures in the central regions of the country have already risen to 30-32 ^° C. Additional scattered rains are forecast this week, which will slightly lower temperatures and improve conditions for the second crop of corn, the crops of which are in fairly good condition.

Scattered rains have fallen across Western Europe and will continue into this week, spreading to the northeast, where the driest regions of the season are located. Conditions for wheat and maize planting are generally favourable across much of the continent.

Throughout last week, the Black Sea region experienced cool weather, with occasional frosts that damaged some fruit trees and seedlings of some spring crops, so farmers will have to reseed some areas.

In Ukraine, rising temperatures and rain are forecast this week, which will help increase the rate of sowing spring crops.

Dry weather in eastern Australia remains the main factor supporting wheat and canola prices as conditions for sowing and development of winter wheat and canola remain unfavourable, which could reduce the area under these crops. Rainfall is forecast this week, but it will be insignificant. The development of the El Niño phenomenon is not conducive to winter crops in Australia.

Dry weather is prevailing in the North China Plain and northeastern China, which is favorable for corn and soybean plantings, but negatively affecting winter wheat plantings. Only sporadic light rains are forecast until mid-May. Canola crops in the south-central part of the country are in better condition due to more consistent rainfall.