Today (Nov. 21), the market for grains in China is shown as follows:

Domestic corn price stays stable with slight declinces individually today. The price prevails at 1,944-2,040 yuan/tonne among deep-processing enterprises in Shandong with individual adjustments. At Jinzhou port, Liaoning, the purchasing price of new corn in 2019 (moisture 14.5% and test weight over 720 g/L) is 1,840-1,855 yuan/tonne unchanged with yesterday and the FOB price is 1,890-1,905 yuan/tonne; while the purchasing price of corn (moisture below 15% and test weight 690-700 g/L) is 1,810-1,825 yuan/tonne unchanged from yesterday. At Shekou port, Guangdong, the second-class corn is steadily priced at 1,980 yuan/tonne from yesterday.

The snow and rain in Northeast China is over, and November is coming to an end. And the date of Spring Festival advances, which has shortened the sales cycle of corn in market, so farmers in Northeast area are less reluctant to sell corn. In addition, the sales volume of corn in deep-processing enterprises in North China increases continuously, and the arrivals of corn in Shandong up by around 170 trucks this morning. Thus, the market is still contained by loose phased supply, and corn price today is stable with slight declines individually. But due to the poor downstream demand for deep processing and slow recovery of breeding industry, enterprises are not active in purchasing and more take a hand-to-mouth buying strategy to keep safety inventory. Therefore, it is predicted that corn is still under pressure from a steady increase of sales volume in the late period.

Domestic sorghum prices are stable with rises in some regions today, of which dried sorghum is priced at 2,400-2,500 yuan/tonne nationwide. (In Heilongjiang, dried sorghum 2,200 in Qiqihar and up 160 yuan to 2,400 yuan in Heihe. In Inner Mongolia, raw sorghum 2,260 yuan/tonne and dried sorghum 2,400 yuan/tonne in Hinggan League and 2019 dried sorghum 2,440 yuan/tonne in Chifeng. In Jilin Province, dried sorghum 2,460 yuan/tonne in Songyuan and 2,400 yuan/tonne in Qian’an, and raw sorghum 2,300 yuan/tonne and dried sorghum 2,400 yuan in Taonan.) Prices for new sorghum keep firm at present, which can be contributed to its smaller planting acreage, as well as lower quality and production due to the frost coming earlier than usual. But the weak demand is also weighing down the prices. So short-term prices are likely to keep steady with narrow fluctuations. 

Imported sorghum prices keep steady today, of which Australian sorghum is priced at 2,400-2,500 yuan/tonne at domestic ports. (Tianjin port: Australian raw sorghum 2,400 and dried sorghum 2,500 yuan/tonne; US raw sorghum 2,130 and dried sorghum 2,270 yuan/tonne. Guangdong port: US raw sorghum 2,100 yuan/tonne. Suqian: US sorghum 2,440 yuan/tonne.) In terms of prices, sorghum has lost a competitive advantage over corn. Besides, hog prices have begun to fall recently. The time for China and the United States to sign their phase one deal is expected to draw near, and the Chinese yuan has soared past 7, which will reduce the import cost. These factors are dragging down imported sorghum prices. However, it is still hard for US sorghum to go into Chinese market due to the trade frictions. Sorghum supply sees very small increases in China now, which is a support to the prices at ports. Short-term prices are predicted to keep steady with narrow fluctuations. Participants can pay attention to the outcome of trade negotiations. 

Imported barley prices remain stable today, of which Australian raw barley is at 2,120-2,130 yuan/tonne at domestic ports. (Nantong port: Canadian raw barley for feed 1,870 yuan/tonne, French barley 1,770-1,780, and Ukrainian raw barley 1,730-1,740; Guangdong port: Ukrainian barley 1,730 yuan/tonne.) In terms of prices, barley has lost a competitive advantage over corn. And the demand from hog breeding is also small due to the African swine fever, which is a curb on the spot market. Barley imports total 5 cargoes, or around 296,000 tonnes, for October shipment in South China. Growing port supply is now weighing down the market. But importers have a strong intention to prop up prices due to low stocks in hand and stubbornly high import cost from Australia. Short-term prices are predicted to keep steady with narrow fluctuations.