Drought in Australia and rainfall in the US corn belt and the Black Sea region will affect grain markets this week

Weather in the U.S. Corn Belt is supporting planting and development of soybean and corn crops. Last week, cyclones brought rain to the Midwest, easing drought conditions in the South and West. The region will also see precipitation this week. Spring crop planting rates in the U.S. are above average, and forecast rains will help crops develop.

The Plains also received precipitation, which reduced the drought in the south and west of the region, and also brought warmth, which allowed the sowing of spring wheat to be accelerated.

In recent months, the region has experienced a large moisture deficit, so the wheat crop is in worse shape than last year, but additional rains this week will help the crop develop.

In the Canadian prairies, rising temperatures have allowed planting to begin, but in eastern regions, cold and frost are delaying work. Rainfall this week will improve soil moisture but delay planting.

The front will bring heavy rainfall to the southern states of Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraná) in the coming days, which will help the development of the second corn crop. However, in May, hot and dry weather will remain in the central regions, although soil moisture reserves should be sufficient for the development of the crops.

Cold weather has returned to western Europe with rains that will continue this week and delay the sowing of spring crops, although they will generally help the development of crops. The rains will also spread to northeastern Europe, where there was a shortage of precipitation in the spring. Overall, the weather in Europe this season is conducive to the development of crops.

After a week of heat, cool weather with precipitation returns to Ukraine, which will facilitate sowing and crop development. Good precipitation is forecast for the next few days, including in the south, which will improve the condition of crops, although currently the plants lack active heat for development. Sowing in Ukraine is proceeding more slowly than last year, but farmers are stepping up work against the backdrop of favorable weather.

In the southwestern region of the Russian Federation, where the main areas with winter wheat are located, heavy rains are also forecast, which will contribute to a good harvest. Sowing of spring wheat in the east is delayed due to the late spring, but the weather allows for an increase in the pace of work.

Eastern Australia remains dry with much of the country's wheat belt experiencing a deficit in rainfall. This will continue into next week, but eastern areas are likely to see showers over the weekend. The development of an El Niño in the Pacific is reducing rainfall, which is having a negative impact on winter wheat and canola crops.

The North China Plain and northeastern China received showers over the weekend, favorable for corn and soybean planting. Rapeseed growing areas in the south-central part of the country are in better condition thanks to heavy spring rainfall.