Today (Jul 28), the market for grains in China is shown as follows:

Corn:

Corn prices keep increasing in most regions of China, and the average price is 2,265 CNY/tonne nationwide, up 18 CNY/tonne from yesterday. The price among deep-processing enterprises in Shandong prevails at 2,440-2,540 CNY/tonne with a rise of 10-50 CNY/tonne from yesterday. At Jinzhou port, Liaoning, the purchasing price of corn remains flat at 2,260 CNY/tonne (moisture 14.5% and volume weight 700 g/L) and 2,270-2,280 CNY/tonne (moisture 14.5% and volume weight 720-730 g/L), respectively. At Shekou port, Guangdong, the offer for Grade-II corn is not clear but is expected to be 2,450 CNY/tonne, unchanged with yesterday.

The premium of the ninth auction for corn reserve hit a fresh record again. As high cost keeps offering support to market, some traders in Northeast area bull the market. And some traders take this opportunity to raise price. And the price among deep-processing enterprises in Shandong further increases by 10-50 CNY/tonne today. Besides, market expects to lower corn imports amid U.S.-China tensions. Driven by a price hike in Northern area and tight supply of corn available for sale at Southern ports, the price at Southern ports goes strongly. Thus, short-term corn market may keep staying at highs. To ensure consistent supply for corn market, related departments have changed the trading rules for corn reserve on July 30. Buyers can keep eyes on the auction this week and the ex-warehouse of corn reserve from late July to August.

Sorghum:

Domestic sorghum prices are stable with some rises today, of which dried sorghum prices prevail at around 2,800 CNY/tonne. Domestic sorghum supplies are reducing and margins are growing, so that farmers and traders both tend to prop up prices. However, Chinese importers have bought relatively huge amount of sorghum, which will be at relatively low prices. Moreover, it become more difficult to stock up sorghum as the weather gets warmer and warmer, and distilleries have also suspended purchases and production entering the hottest period of summer. These together weigh down domestic sorghum market to some extent. Overall, domestic sorghum prices are predicted to maintain its stable trend.

Imported sorghum prices are stable with a partial rise in China today, as market participants are concerned that escalating U.S.-China tensions could affect future imports of sorghum. Moreover, the cost of importing sorghum is also strengthening due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, imported sorghum stocks at Guangdong ports still total 360,000 tonnes as of July 24th. And an expected rise in sorghum arrivals will probably weigh down US sorghum prices in China. Participants can focus on the development of US-China relations.

Barley:

Imported barley prices remain stable today. Starting May 19, China has begun to impose 80.5% of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on barley originating in Australia for five years, according to announcements by China’s Ministry of Commerce on May 18th. Chinese importers now are scarcely interested in Australian grains. And as of July 17th, imported barley stocks totaled 22,000 tonnes at Guangdong ports. The relatively low stocks and the cost of import together help support barley prices. Merely, barley is in weak demand and slow shipments at present. Overall, imported barley prices are predicted to keep steady with a strengthening trend overall.

(USD $1=CNY ¥6.99)