Today (Mar. 6), the market for grains in China is shown as follows:

Domestic corn prices keep steady with slight fluctuations today. The price prevails at 1,930-1,990 yuan/tonne with some declines of 4-16 yuan/tonne compared to yesterday among deep-processing enterprises in Shandong. At Jinzhou port, Liaoning, some traders offer the purchasing price at 1,875-1,900 yuan/tonne flat from yesterday (moisture 14.5% and test weight 700-720 g/L). At Bayuquan port, the purchasing price of new corn of 2019 is 1,880-1,890 yuan/tonne up by 5 yuan/tonne from yesterday (test weight 690-700 g/L). At Shekou port, Guangdong, the second-class corn is priced at 2,000 yuan/tonne and traded at 1,990-2,000 yuan/tonne, which is unchanged with yesterday. Additionally, a little corn is traded at 1,980 yuan/tonne in cash.

With the sales cycle shortening and temperature rising, farmers in producing area speed up the sales, particularly in North China. And the number of vehicles arriving at Shandong this morning has increased to 1,900. In order to maintain safety inventory, some deep-processing enterprises successively lower purchasing prices to control the supply, with a decline of 4-16 yuan/tonne. But for the moment, farmers in northeast area run out stocks of ground-corn (which heaps on the ground) and are reluctant to sell the rest loft-corn (which reserves in loft). Furthermore, the inventories in some northeast deep-processing enterprises are significantly lower than the same period last year after recent consumption, so they are in need for replenishment. Also, with the grain dryer in producing area starting working, traders are more willing to purchase corn. Meanwhile, the subordinated storehouse raises price to purchase corn, pulling local market and seeing an increase of buyers. Therefore, these factors offer support to market. The overall trend of northeast corn market goes strongly, and it is likely to maintain this situation in the near term. Buyers can focus on the situation of market supply.

Domestic sorghum prices remain flat today, of which dried sorghum prices prevail at around 2500-2600 yuan/tonne. Traders gradually return to the market, while sorghum is in reducing supply, so both farmers and traders are maintaining prices. But imported sorghum will be arriving at ports in huge amount, which is of lower price and will crack down on domestic sorghum market. On the whole, sorghum price is predicted to be little changed.

Imported sorghum prices are stable, of which US raw sorghum is quoted at 2000-2050 yuan/tonne. Logistics are recovering as some regions clear the blockade in roads, and enterprises are set to resume work and imports. Private exporters sold 110,000 tonnes of sorghum to China, with shipment in 2019/20, according to a report by the US Department of Agriculture on Wednesday. Hence, the volume of US sorghum arriving at ports will keep rising. Overall, imported sorghum price is predicted to step on a downtrend amid concerns over the epidemic.

Imported barley prices keep steady today. Logistics are recovering as some regions cleat the blockade in roads, and enterprises are set to resume work and imports. But some traders are only making pre-sales and had difficulty making shipment as logistics are still slow under the influence of the coronavirus. Imported barley price is predicted to stay stable amid concerns over the virus.