Market update - April

Grain

At least 1 million acres (405,000 hectares) of U.S. farmland were flooded after the "bomb cyclone" storm left wide swaths of nine major grain producing states under water this month, satellite data analyzed by Gro Intelligence for Reuters showed.

Spring floods could yet impact an even bigger area of cropland. The U.S. government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned of what could be an "unprecedented flood season" as it forecasts heavy spring rains.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast on Friday farmers would increase corn plantings by 4.1 percent from last year, but the estimate did not account for the flooding. The extent of the flooding had previously not been made public. Iowa, the top U.S. corn and No. 2 soy producing state, had the most water, covering 474,271 acres, followed by Missouri with 203,188 acres. (Source: Reuters)

Fertiliser

Fertiliser is being applied due to the recent spell of dry weather.

Global Urea markets have seen an increase of @ $20 due to an Indian tender, and some supply issues.

There are low stocks of imported Nitrogen in the UK, CF are highly competitive with their recent price corrections on Nitram & NPK compounds.

With the current lack of direction coming out of Parliament with Brexit, there could be a 6.5% increase in prices if we leave without a deal. To reduce the short-term risk from this, contact Bartholomews on 01243 755630 to purchase fertilise and get further updates.