Today (Mar. 12), the market for grains in China is shown as follows:

Domestic corn prices keep steady with slight fluctuations today. The price prevails at 1,930-1,980 yuan/tonne with small declines of 4-10 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 Shekou port, Guangdong, the second-class corn price prevails at 1,990-2,000 yuan/tonne with no big fluctuation from yesterday. Some prices remain to be negotiated.

There are still not many vehicles arriving in North China this morning. But for the moment, farmers in northeast area speed up the corn sales, and they run out stocks of ground-corn (which heaps on the ground) and are in no hurry to sell the rest loft-corn (which reserves in loft). Meanwhile, the inventories in some northeast enterprises are significantly lower than the same period last year after recent consumption, so they are in demand of replenishment. Also, with the grain dryer in producing area starting working and the subordinated storehouse raising price to purchase corn, seeing an increase of buyers and supporting local market. Therefore, the overall trend of northeast market is still strong. Nevertheless, there is still much surplus corn with high moisture in North China. In addition, domestic meats consumption is poor amid the coronavirus, impacting the replenishment of poultry of short breeding cycle. Especially after March, the demand for feed significantly decreases, so businesses are not active in purchasing corn. Under lower consumption of corn, the market is restricted further. Due to the different supply characteristics in different regions, short-term corn market will still fluctuate slightly.

Domestic sorghum prices are stable today, of which dried sorghum prices prevail at around 2500-2600 yuan/tonne. Traders are gradually back to the market, while sorghum supply is lessening, so both farmers and traders have a strong sentiment to prop up prices. But imported sorghum are in huge volume and of low prices, which will weigh on domestic sorghum market. Overall, domestic sorghum prices are predicted to maintain its stable trend.

Imported sorghum prices are stable, of which US raw sorghum is quoted at 2000-2050 yuan/tonne. Chinese importers are purchasing US sorghum after getting tariff exemptions. Around 5 cargoes will arrive in China as of June, according to Cofeed. Sorghum imports from the US will gradually increase, which will thus weigh on prices in the market.

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.