Grain futures strengthened on Thursday. The December SRW wheat contract closed at $5.30/bu ($195/mt; +0.3% from Wednesday). The December HRW wheat contract in Kansas rose to $5.26/bu ($193/mt; +0.5%). The December Euronext wheat contract settled at €195.75/mt ($227/mt; +1.3%). The December US corn contract climbed to $4.12/bu ($162/mt; +1.9%).
The International Grains Council (IGC) raised its 2025/26 global corn production forecast by 23 mmt to 1.299 bln mt, citing improved prospects in the US. The US corn crop is now estimated at 423.5 mmt, up from the previous forecast of 398.9 mmt.
The IGC also increased its global wheat production estimate by 3 mmt to 811 mmt. Russia’s wheat crop was raised to 83.7 mmt from 81.7 mmt in July. The export forecast was lifted from 43.0 mmt to 43.6 mmt.
As of August 18, 62% of France’s corn crop was rated in good or excellent condition, down from 65% a week earlier and 76% a year ago, according to FranceAgriMer.
France’s soft wheat harvest was complete, compared with the five-year average of 98%.
Argentina harvested 6.6 mln ha of corn out of the planned 7.1 mln ha, the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange reported. Last year, 7.0 mln ha were harvested out of 7.2 mln ha. Yield was estimated at 7.21 mt/ha.
The share of Argentine wheat rated good or excellent reached 97%, up from 96% a week earlier and 84% a year ago.
