Forecasts of precipitation in the USA, Australia and the Black Sea region and heat in Europe will be the main weather factors affecting the markets in the near future

Heavy rains have been falling across the Midwest this week, especially in the South, improving the condition of soybean and corn crops. Forecasts are calling for dry weather next week, with occasional showers, which should help complete soybean and corn planting and develop the crops.

The Central, Southern and Northern Plains have also received good rainfall this week, which will continue through the weekend and into next week. The rains will not be able to significantly improve the condition of winter crops, but will be very favorable for spring crops, especially spring wheat.

The Canadian prairies also received intermittent rain, which helped speed up planting, which has been significantly slower than last year due to a late spring and cold April. More rain is forecast next week, which will reduce the planting window for farmers, although it will improve soil moisture.

Canola planting in Canada is 1-2 weeks slower than usual, and in Saskatchewan, as of May 18, only 8% of the planned area has been sown with canola, and in Alberta, 26% of the planned area.

Central Brazil continues to experience seasonal hot weather with no precipitation expected for several more weeks, but moisture reserves for corn crops should be sufficient if temperatures do not exceed 30-33 ^° C. Southern regions receive little precipitation, but winter wheat crops require more moisture.

Hot and dry weather has set in across Western Europe this week, but good soil moisture reserves will help plants weather the heat stress. Rain is forecast across the continent this weekend and next week, which should benefit spring crop plantings.

Ukraine has been experiencing very favorable weather with low temperatures and periodic precipitation, which will allow for the completion of sowing and promote the development of spring crops. Additional precipitation and low temperatures are forecast for next week, which will continue to improve the condition of crops.

Good precipitation is also forecast for the southwestern region of the Russian Federation next week, which will help improve the harvest potential of winter wheat and spring crops.

Additional rainfall this week has improved conditions for planting and developing winter wheat and canola crops in eastern Australia. Weather conditions in Western Australia have been better and rainfall forecast there will also improve crop prospects.