Weather continues to support late crop harvests in major grain exporting countries

Favorable precipitation continues in the US and China, as well as in the Black Sea region, and only a new heat wave in Europe is causing concerns for the harvest of late crops.

 

The US corn belt sees one or two precipitation fronts each week, which, even with the warmer temperatures, are producing a fairly good corn and soybean crop. Heavy rains have been falling across the Midwest this week, bringing temperatures back to normal, and more rain and normal temperatures are expected over the weekend and next week.

 

The southern regions of the US Plains are receiving less precipitation, with hot and dry weather persisting, which is worsening the condition of crops, but the weather is generally favorable, and precipitation will pass there next week, especially in the northern Plains, where drier conditions prevailed.

 

Warm, dry weather has set in across the Canadian Prairies over the past few weeks, helping to speed up crop development and grain filling after prolonged rains and cool weather. However, areas in the southwest remain too hot and dry, so the amount of precipitation forecast for next week will be critical to reducing plant stress.

 

Another heatwave has hit western Europe this week, moving from west to east, causing further damage to corn, sunflower and sugar beet crops. Limited rainfall is forecast next week, which should reduce temperatures and stress on plants, but parts of western Europe will not receive enough rainfall, reducing harvest potential, MARS warns .

 

The front that brought precipitation and cool weather to Ukraine is moving east and improving growing conditions for soybeans, corn and sunflowers. Temperatures are expected to rise to 30-33 degrees next week without precipitation, which could cause stress for corn crops in regions that have not received precipitation and have low moisture reserves. Overall, Ukraine is planning to harvest a good corn crop, provided there is no abnormal heat in August.

 

The Black Sea regions of the Russian Federation are harvesting a high wheat harvest and are preparing to harvest a good crop of corn and sunflower, while the eastern regions of the Russian Federation and some regions of Kazakhstan are suffering from a moisture deficit.

 

Rains have returned to southern and western Australia, and conditions are still normal for winter wheat and canola, but a stronger El Niño and drier weather are expected.

 

Scattered rains will continue in central and northeastern China this week and next, helping to develop a good corn and soybean crop even as temperatures rise.