U.S. wheat ending stocks for 2013/14 are projected 50 million bushels lower as higher expected food use and exports more than offset an increase in projected imports. Imports are raised 10 million bushels as railroad backlogs and other logistical problems slow Canadian wheat shipments to Pacific Coast terminals and encourage additional shipments of Hard Red Spring (HRS) wheat into the U.S. market. Projected food use is increased 10 million bushels based on the latest flour production data reported by the North American Millers’ Association. Food use increases are projected for Hard Red Winter and HRS wheat. Exports are projected 50 million bushels higher as reduced competition from Argentina and strong sales and shipments further boost prospects for U.S. wheat in world trade. A reduction in expected exports from Australia during the July-June world trade year also raises prospects for 2013/14 U.S. shipments. Exports are projected higher for all classes except Durum. The season-average farm price for all wheat is narrowed 5 cents on both ends of the projected range to $6.65 to $6.95 per bushel.
Global 2013/14 wheat supplies are lowered 1.1 million tons with lower beginning stocks for Argentina and Russia and a 0.8-million-ton reduction in world production. Small reductions in 2012/13 production for Argentina and imports for Russia reduce world carryin supplies for 2013/14. Kazakhstan production for 2013/14 is lowered 1.6 million tons based on the latest official estimates which raised harvested area, but lowered the yield sharply from indications based on earlier harvest reports. Production for Algeria is lowered 0.3 million tons based on the latest official data. Partly offsetting these reductions is a 0.6-million-ton increase for Brazil where better-than-expected yields in southern wheat areas more than offset earlier freeze damage farther north. Ukraine production is also raised, up 0.3 million tons, on final government estimates.
Foreign wheat exports for 2013/14 are lowered as reductions for Kazakhstan and Argentina more than offset an increase for the European Union. Kazakhstan exports are lowered 1.5 million tons with the smaller crop. Exports are lowered 1.0 million tons for Argentina based on the slow pace of shipments. European Union exports are raised 1.5 million tons reflecting the rapid pace of shipments and licensing. Wheat feeding is lowered for the European Union as increased corn imports and feeding free up wheat for export. Wheat feed use is lowered 0.2 million tons for South Korea as increased corn imports and feeding also displace wheat in that market. Global wheat ending stocks are projected 1.7 million tons lower with the largest declines for the United States and European Union. Smaller reductions in ending stocks are expected for Algeria and Russia. Partly offsetting are stocks increases for Argentina, Brazil, and Ukraine.
