FI Morning Grain Comments 02/17/22

PDF attached

 

Good
morning. 

 

Private
exporters reported sales of 120,000 metric tons of soybeans for delivery to unknown destinations during the 2021/2022 marketing year.

 

Soybeans
are higher on follow through buying amid South American weather concerns. Corn and wheat gained into the electronic close. Headline trading picked up. There were reports of shell fire in eastern Ukraine underpinned wheat. May Malaysian palm futures were up
74 MYR overnight. March soybean oil made a fresh contract high overnight. March soybeans are on track to test its contract high of $16.33. Egypt is in for wheat. Algeria bought 300-500k of wheat. USD is 10 points higher and WTI down $2.08 at the time this
was written. 

 

CME
is raising margins for several CBOT products. 

https://www.cmegroup.com/notices/clearing/2022/02/Chadv22-054.html

 

 

 

Weather

 

World
Weather Inc.

WORLD
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS FOR February 17, 2022

• Not
  much has changed to the bottom line in South America, although some reduction in rainfall was noted in the second week of the outlook in today’s forecast model runs.
  
• The
  bottom line remains one of concern for dryness in Argentina and southern Brazil as well as Paraguay.
  
• Showers
  and thunderstorms pop up periodically, but too much sunshine and warm weather will occur, and moisture gained will be quickly lost through strong evaporation.
  
• The
  need for improved rainfall remains and with a more sporadic second week rainfall pattern today that relief looks to remain a little out of reach for a while. 
  
• In
  the U.S., frequent waves of rain and snow will impact the lower and eastern Midwest, Delta and interior southeastern states over the next couple of weeks resulting in a rising potential for flooding.
  
• Today’s
  snow event from the central Plains into Michigan and Ohio will result in some travel delays and livestock stress. 
  
• Restricted
  precipitation is predicted for hard red winter wheat production areas in the west.
  
• California
  precipitation will be limited, as well.
• The
  northwestern U.S. Plains may finally get some significant snowfall late this weekend into early next week, although much more will be needed.
  
• Weather
  in the rest of the world has not changed much.
• Precipitation
  will continue light and sporadic in southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa while staying abundant in northeastern Europe and western Russia.
  
• Southern
  China will also continue wet
• India’s
  precipitation will be limited for a while.
• Eastern
  Australia’s dryland sorghum and cotton areas of Queensland and New South Wales may get a short term bout of rain next week
  
• South
  Africa’s outlook is a little drier today for the coming ten days, although some rain will fall. 

Source:
World Weather Inc.

 

Bloomberg
Ag Calendar

Thursday,
Feb. 17:

• USDA
  weekly net-export sales for corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, pork and beef, 8:30am
• International
  Grains Council monthly report

Friday,
Feb. 18:

• ICE
  Futures Europe weekly commitments of traders report, ~1:30pm
• CFTC
  commitments of traders weekly report on positions for various U.S. futures and options, 3:30pm
• FranceAgriMer
  weekly crop condition report

Source:
Bloomberg and FI

 

 

 

 

 

 

USDA
Export Sales

USDA
Export Sales were all within expectations with exception of new-crop soybeans slightly topping the high end of a range.  Year to date commitments for soybeans, corn, wheat, and soybean oil are still lagging year ago. 

 

USDA
export sales for soybeans of 1,361,800 MT included unknown destinations (371,700 MT), China (224,500 MT, including decreases of 2,300 MT), and the Netherlands (188,300 MT, including 112,600 MT switched from unknown destinations). New crop sales were a large
1,526,000 MT and included China (876,000 MT), unknown destinations (530,000 MT), and Egypt (106,000 MT).

 

Soybean
meal sales were 279,100 MT and included the Philippines, Ecuador and Morocco.  Shipments were 187,900 tons. Soybean oil sales of 35,400 significantly improved and were highest since December 16. That included the 30,000 ton unknow sale we though was for India. 
Shipments were 33,300 tons, also excellent.

 

CBOT
corn export sales of 820,000 tons for 2021-22 and 113,500 tons for new-crop were within expectations.  Japan and Mexico were largest buyers for both crop years. China was not mentioned in the text.  Sorghum sales of 148,400 MT for 2021-22 were up 5 percent
from the previous week, but down 42 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases reported for China (208,400 MT, including 65,000 MT switched from unknown destinations).  Pork sales of 18,300 MT for 2022 were down 46 percent from the prior 4-weekaverage. 

 

All-wheat
USDA export sales of 118,100 tons were within expectations but still very low for this time of year.  The slowdown in wheat commitments (past three weeks) has increased the gap from year to date commitments of 642 million bushels against previous year of 860
million, down 25 percent. 

 

 

 

Macros

US
Initial Jobless Claims Feb 12: 248K (est 218K; prev 223K; prevR 225K)

–
US Continuing Claims Feb 5: 1593K (est 1605K; prev 1621K; prevR 1619K)

7:36:08
AM livesquawk US Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Feb: 16.0 (est 20.0; prev 23.2)

US
Housing Starts Jan: 1638K (est 1695K; prev 1702K; prevR 1708K)

–
Housing Starts (M/M) Jan: -4.1% (est -0.4%; prev 1.4%; prevR 0.3%)

US
Building Permits Jan: 1899K (est 1750K; prev 1873K; prevR 1885K)

–
Building Permits (M/M) Jan: 0.7% (est -7.2%; prev 9.1%; prevR 9.8%)

 

Next
Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is January 25-26

 

 

Corn

·        
CBOT corn futures are higher on strength in soybeans and renewed concerns over Ukraine/Russia tensions.  USDA export sales were good. 

·        
The International Grains Council (IGC) – global corn production 1.203 billion tons, down 4 million tons from previous.

·        
March options expire Friday.

·        
USDA reported US eggs set in the US up 1 percent and chicks placed down slightly from a year earlier.  Cumulative placements from the week ending January 8, 2022, through February 12, 2022, for the United States were 1.11 billion.
Cumulative placements were down 1 percent from the same period a year earlier.

·        
US weekly ethanol production increased 15,000 barrels per day to 1.009 million barrels after declining 47,000 barrels week earlier. Traders were looking for a 9,000 barrel increase.  Stocks increased 684,000 barrels to 25.483
million. Traders were looking for a 167,000 barrel increase. 

 

Export
developments.

• Results
  awaited: Iran’s SLAL seeks up to 60,000 tons of animal feed barley, 60,000 tons of feed corn and 60,000 tons of soymeal.  Shipment for all the grains and soymeal was sought in February and March.  On Feb. 11 they passed on 60,000 tons of feed barley and 60,000
  tons of soymeal.

 

Soybeans

·        
Soybeans are higher on follow through buying amid South American weather concerns. USDA reported 120,000 tons of soybeans were sold to unknown for 2021-22 delivery.  USDA export sales were good for the soybean complex. 

·        
Brazil’ Rio Grande do Sul into Mato Grosso do Sul will see less than a inch of rain through next Wednesday. Mato Grosso in Bahia will see too much rain during that period. Argentina rainfall amounts over the next week vary with
nothing to 2 inches locally.  Overall southern Brazil and Argentina remain of concern. 

·        
It has been rumored that as many as 10 cargos of beans have been washed out to China from Brazil but, premiums would say otherwise as they remain very firm.

·        
March soybean oil made a fresh contract high overnight and march soybeans could soon test its contract high of $16.33. 

·        
CBOT March crush slipped 3.50 cents at $1.3425. 

·        
March options expire Friday. 

·        
The soybean processor in Claypool, IN might be back up and running today. 

·        
Rotterdam meal 2-11 euros higher and vegetable oils 10-15 euros higher from this time yesterday.

·        
May Malaysian palm futures were up 74 MYR overnight to 5,507 and cash up $17.50 to $1,392.50/ton.

·        
China soybeans were nearly unchanged, meal up 0.9% and vegetable oils up 0.8-1.3%. 

·        
Offshore values are leading SBO 54 points lower and meal $2.70 short ton lower.

 

Export
Developments

• Private
  exporters reported sales of 120,000 metric tons of soybeans for delivery to unknown destinations during the 2021/2022 marketing year.
• Results
  awaited: Iran’s SLAL seeks up to 60,000 tons of animal feed barley, 60,000 tons of feed corn and 60,000 tons of soymeal.  Shipment for all the grains and soymeal was sought in February and March.  On Feb. 11 they passed on 60,000 tons of feed barley and 60,000
  tons of soymeal.
• Yesterday
  Egypt’s GASC bought 34,500 tons of vegetable oils for April 5-25 arrival.  6,000 tons of international soybean oil was purchased at $1,567/tons, and 28,500 tons of international sunflower oil at $1,463/ton.  They passed on local vegetable oils.  For comparison,
  on December 12, Egypt bought a combined 69,000 tons of vegetable oils, paying $1,342.10 (37k local) to $1,354.50/ton (30k international) tons of soybean oil and $1,390/ton (39k international) of sunflower oil. 
  
• Turkey
  seeks 6,000 tons of sunflower oil on February 23 for shipment between March 2 and March 25.
  

 

Wheat

·        
US wheat futures are higher on renewed Ukraine/Russia tensions. While unconfirmed, reports of shell fire in eastern Ukraine.

·        
EU wheat futures that were trading up 2.25 euros at 365.25 euros per ton at the time this was written.

·        
All-wheat USDA export sales of 118,100 tons were within expectations but still very low for this time of year.  The slowdown in wheat commitments (past three weeks) has increased the gap from year to date commitments of 642 million
bushels against previous year of 860 million, down 25 percent. 

·        
The International Grains Council (IGC) – global wheat production 781 million tons, unchanged.

·        
A major US winter storm is underway, with rain, ice and snow expected a large portion of the lower central Great Plains and eastern US. 48-hour precipitation outlook below.  The lower ECB will see additional precipitation mid
next week. 

 

Export
Developments.

·        
Algeria bought at least 120,000 tons of wheat at $346-$345.50/ton. They were in for optional origin for April shipment. Export sales are due out soon.  They last bought wheat on Jan 26, paying around $375/ton. 

·        
The Philippines bought around 45,000 tons of feed wheat from Australia around $330-$340/ton for shipment in June and July.

·        
Japan bought 54,692 tons of food wheat from the US. Original details as follows:

·        
Egypt is in for wheat and lowest offer was $315.3 a ton for 60,000 toes of Ukrainian wheat free on board (FOB) for shipment April 1–10. 

·        
Taiwan seeks 54,920 tons of US wheat on February 18, for April 4-18 shipment if off the PNW.

·        
Turkey seeks 255,000 tons of feed barley on February 22. Shipment is sought for March 1-31.

·        
Jordan seeks 120,000 tons of feed barley on February 22 for late July through FH September shipment. 

·        
Jordan’s state grain buyer seeks 120,000 tons of milling wheat, optional origins, on Feb. 23, with shipment in 60,000 ton consignments, for July 16-31, Aug. 1-15, Aug. 16-31 and Sept. 1-15. They also seek 120,000 tons of feed
barley on Feb. 22.

 

Rice/Other

·        
South Korea seeks 72,200 tons rice from U.S. and Vietnam on Feb. 25.

 

 

 

USDA Export Sales

U.S. EXPORT SALES FOR WEEK ENDING  2/10/2022

 

	CURRENT MARKETING YEAR						NEXT MARKETING YEAR
COMMODITY	NET SALES	OUTSTANDING SALES		WEEKLY EXPORTS	ACCUMULATED EXPORTS		NET SALES	OUTSTANDING SALES
		CURRENT YEAR	YEAR AGO		CURRENT YEAR	YEAR AGO
	THOUSAND METRIC TONS
WHEAT
HRW	72.1	1,825.4	1,430.9	183.3	5,140.9	6,448.1	0.0	67.8
SRW	14.2	610.9	439.0	55.7	1,963.4	1,264.0	10.5	135.6
HRS	25.0	1,119.6	2,057.9	87.8	3,554.0	4,906.5	0.0	61.0
WHITE	5.7	618.3	2,476.4	84.9	2,464.0	3,715.8	0.0	67.0
DURUM	1.0	55.6	172.2	0.0	113.1	492.9	0.0	47.0
TOTAL	118.1	4,229.8	6,576.3	411.6	13,235.3	16,827.5	10.5	378.4
BARLEY	0.0	13.8	12.6	0.0	14.7	20.0	0.0	0.0
CORN	820.0	24,199.8	35,584.7	1,617.6	22,332.7	22,969.6	113.5	1,565.5
SORGHUM	148.4	4,119.3	3,094.1	141.6	2,385.7	2,837.0	-53.0	0.0
SOYBEANS	1,361.8	9,311.7	9,178.4	1,213.0	38,809.9	50,460.9	1,526.0	4,499.3
SOY MEAL	279.1	3,317.8	2,913.2	187.9	4,683.3	4,871.8	40.0	174.7
SOY OIL	35.4	171.5	193.1	33.3	351.5	395.0	0.0	0.0
RICE
L G RGH	12.2	299.3	271.9	19.6	728.0	899.3	0.0	0.0
M S RGH	0.0	9.4	11.7	0.2	4.3	17.2	0.0	0.0
L G BRN	0.5	19.9	13.1	0.5	29.1	23.6	0.0	0.0
M&S BR	0.0	45.1	97.3	22.4	40.4	54.4	0.0	0.0
L G MLD	10.6	76.2	88.0	18.1	483.6	356.4	0.0	0.0
M S MLD	0.7	179.2	223.5	1.6	217.8	282.1	0.0	0.0
TOTAL	24.0	629.2	705.5	62.4	1,503.2	1,633.0	0.0	0.0
COTTON		THOUSAND RUNNING BALES
UPLAND	158.5	7,861.6	5,700.8	270.0	4,472.8	7,460.1	34.7	1,844.5
PIMA	3.1	197.6	276.0	4.6	205.3	412.8	0.0	12.6

 

This
summary is based on reports from exporters for the period February 4-10, 2022.

Wheat:  Net
sales of 118,100 metric tons (MT) for 2021/2022 were up 39 percent from the previous week, but down 61 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases primarily for Guatemala (38,300 MT switched from unknown destinations), Mexico (28,100 MT), Japan (26,000
MT), Colombia (18,500 MT), and El Salvador (8,200 MT switched from unknown destinations), were offset by reductions for unknown destinations (21,500 MT).  Total net sales for 2022/2023 of 10,500 MT were for Peru.  Exports of 411,600 MT were up 8 percent from
the previous week and 9 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations were primarily to Mexico (93,800 MT), Taiwan (67,900 MT), the Philippines (62,900 MT), Thailand (57,700 MT), and Japan (43,400 MT). 

Corn: 
Net sales of 820,000 MT for 2021/2022 were up 39 percent from the previous week, but down 23 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases primarily for Japan (600,200 MT, including 175,000 MT switched from unknown destinations and decreases of 700 MT),
Mexico (103,300 MT, including decreases of 38,600 MT), Canada (45,600 MT), the Dominican Republic (40,000 MT), and Colombia (32,500 MT, including decreases of 32,000 MT), were offset by reductions primarily for unknown destinations (68,900 MT).  Net sales
of 113,500 MT for 2022/2023 were reported for Mexico (90,000 MT) and Japan (23,500 MT). 
Exports of 1,617,600 MT–a marketing-year high–were up 41 percent from the previous week and 28 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations were primarily to Mexico (477,300 MT, including 136,300 MT – late), China (413,600 MT), Japan (291,700
MT), Canada (114,200 MT), and Colombia (64,500 MT). 

Optional
Origin Sales: 
For 2021/2022, new optional origin sales of 65,000 MT were reported for unknown destinations.  Options were reported for exercised to export 60,000 MT to unknown destinations from the United States.  The current outstanding balance
of 220,800 MT is for unknown destinations (115,000 MT), South Korea (65,000 MT), Italy (31,800 MT), and Saudi Arabia (9,000 MT).  For 2022/2023, new optional origin sales of 2,400 MT were reported for Italy.  The current outstanding balance of 3,900 MT is
for Italy.

Late
Reporting:
For 2021/2022, exports totaling 136,300 MT of corn were reported late to Mexico.

Barley: 
No net sales or exports were reported for the week.

Sorghum: 
Net sales of 148,400 MT for 2021/2022 were up 5 percent from the previous week, but down 42 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases reported for China (208,400 MT, including 65,000 MT switched from unknown destinations) and Mexico (5,000 MT), were
offset by reductions for unknown destinations (65,000 MT).  Total net sales reductions for 2022/2023 of 53,000 MT were for China.  Exports of 141,600 MT were down 10 percent from the previous week, but up 15 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations
were to China (140,500 MT) and Mexico (1,100 MT).

Rice: 
Net sales of 24,000 MT for 2021/2022 were down 88 percent from the previous week and 80 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases primarily for Haiti (7,300 MT), Mexico (7,000 MT, including decreases of 600 MT), Costa Rica (5,000 MT), Canada (1,800
MT), and Jordan (1,700 MT), were offset by reductions for Taiwan (300 MT) and Honduras (300 MT).  Exports of 62,400 MT were down 12 percent from the previous week, but up 12 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations were primarily to South Korea
(22,200 MT), Haiti (15,300 MT), Honduras (11,700 MT), Costa Rica (5,500 MT), and Mexico (3,300 MT).

Exports
for Own Account:
For 2021/2022, the current exports for own account outstanding balance is 100 MT, all Canada.

Soybeans: 
Net sales of 1,361,800 MT for 2021/2022 were down 15 percent from the previous week, but up 26 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases primarily for unknown destinations (371,700 MT), China (224,500 MT, including decreases of 2,300 MT), the Netherlands
(188,300 MT, including 112,600 MT switched from unknown destinations), Spain (121,500 MT, including 51,000 MT switched from unknown destinations), and Indonesia (94,500 MT, including 55,000 MT switched from unknown destinations, 200 MT switched from Vietnam,
and decreases of 3,300 MT), were offset by reductions for Costa Rica (400 MT).  Net sales of 1,526,000 MT for 2022/2023 were reported for China (876,000 MT), unknown destinations (530,000 MT), Egypt (106,000 MT), Mexico (10,000 MT), and Taiwan (4,000 MT). 
Exports of 1,213,000 MT were down 7 percent from the previous week and 19 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations were primarily to China (575,700 MT), the Netherlands (122,300 MT), Mexico (120,600 MT), Taiwan (68,800 MT), and Germany (66,000
MT). 

Export
for Own Account:
For 2021/2022, the current exports for own account outstanding balance is 3,000 MT, all Canada.

Export
Adjustment: 
Accumulated exports of soybeans to the Netherlands were adjusted down 65,997 MT for week ending January 27th.  The correct destination for this shipment is Germany.

Soybean
Cake and Meal: 
Net sales of 279,100 MT for 2021/2022 were up 16 percent from the previous week, but down 25 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases primarily for the Philippines (95,100 MT, including decreases of 600 MT), Ecuador (68,900 MT), Morocco (31,600 MT,
including decreases of 400 MT), Canada (20,400 MT, including decreases of 400 MT), and Colombia (19,400 MT), were offset by reductions primarily for Ireland (40,000 MT).  Total net sales of 40,000 MT for 2022/2023 were for Ireland.  Exports of 187,900 MT were
down 33 percent from the previous week and 34 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations were primarily to the Philippines (50,000 MT), Mexico (26,400 MT), Canada (21,300 MT),  Guatemala (19,000 MT), and Honduras (17,800 MT). 

Soybean
Oil: 
Net sales of 35,400 MT for 2021/2022 were up noticeably from the previous week and from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were primarily for unknown destinations (30,000 MT), Mexico (3,300 MT), Honduras (1,000 MT), and the Dominican Republic (800 MT). 
Exports of 33,300 MT were up noticeably from the previous week and up 18 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations were primarily to South Korea (17,300 MT), the Dominican Republic (9,000 MT), Venezuela (3,000 MT), Mexico (2,100 MT), and Colombia
(1,500 MT).

Cotton: 
Net sales of 158,500 RB for 2021/2022 were down 14 percent from the previous week and 46 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases primarily for China (47,800 RB), Pakistan (23,900 RB), Vietnam (23,800 RB, including, 5,900 RB switched from South Korea
and 1,000 RB switched from Japan), Turkey (22,300 RB), and Peru (11,900 RB), were offset by reductions for South Korea (5,900 RB).  Net sales of 34,700 RB for 2022/2023 were primarily for Pakistan (14,100 RB), Mexico (5,400 RB), Turkey (4,400 RB), Indonesia
(3,500 RB), and Portugal (2,200 RB).  Exports of 270,000 RB were down 10 percent from the previous week, but up 8 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations were primarily to China (117,000 RB), Pakistan (46,300 RB), Vietnam (33,000 RB), Turkey
(20,200 RB), and Mexico (17,800 RB).  Net sales of Pima totaling 3,100 RB were down 42 percent from the previous week and 40 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases primarily for India (1,700 RB, including decreases of 900 RB), Peru (500 RB), China
(400 RB), and Vietnam (400 RB), were offset by reductions for Greece (400 RB).  Exports of 4,600 RB were down 78 percent from the previous week and 61 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations were primarily to China (2,100 RB), Thailand (600
RB), Bangladesh (500 RB), Peru (400 RB), and India (300 RB). 

Optional
Origin Sales: 
For 2021/2022, the current outstanding balance of 61,600 RB is for Vietnam (52,800 RB) and Pakistan (8,800 RB). 

Exports
for Own Account: For
2021/2022, the current exports for own account outstanding balance is 100 RB, all Vietnam.

Hides
and Skins: 
Net sales of 434,800 pieces for 2022 were up 60 percent from the previous week and 2 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases primarily for China (219,300 whole cattle hides, including decreases of 13,600 pieces), South Korea (89,400 whole cattle
hides, including decreases of 1,200 pieces), Mexico (44,000 whole cattle hides, including decreases of 500 pieces), Brazil (27,200 whole cattle hides, including decreases of 100 pieces), and Thailand (21,500 whole cattle hides, including decreases of 1,200
pieces), were offset by reductions primarily for Italy (6,600 pieces).  Total net sales of 1,800 calf skins were for Italy.  In addition, total net sales of 5,600 kip skins were for Italy.  Exports of 415,000 pieces were up 28 percent from the previous and
12 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Whole cattle hides exports were primarily to China (269,800 pieces), South Korea (52,100 pieces), Mexico (29,200 pieces), Thailand (15,800 pieces), and Indonesia (13,900 pieces).

Net
sales of 151,900 wet blues for 2022 were up noticeably from the previous week and up 6 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were primarily for Italy (30,800 unsplit, 12,700 grain splits, including decreases of 200 unsplit and 200 grain splits),
Vietnam (36,800 unsplit, including decreases of 100 unsplit), China (32,000 unsplit), India (10,800 grain splits), and Mexico (10,300 unsplit). 
Exports of 167,700 wet blues were up noticeably from the previous and up 19 percent from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations were primarily to China (52,100 unsplit), Vietnam (45,800 unsplit), Italy (29,400 unsplit and 11,700 grain splits), Thailand
(10,900 unsplit), and Mexico (4,200 grain splits and 2,800 unsplit).  Net sales of 37,800 splits were reported for Vietnam (32,800 pounds), South Korea (2,500 pounds, including decreases of 6,900 pounds), and China (2,500 pounds).  Exports of 449,000 pounds
were to Vietnam (320,000 pounds) and China (129,000 pounds).

Beef: 
Net sales of 23,000 MT for 2022 were up 18 percent from the previous week and 38 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were primarily for South Korea (10,100 MT, including decreases of 600 MT), Japan (7,200 MT, including decreases of 200 MT), Canada
(1,600 MT, including decreases of 200 MT), Mexico (1,200 MT, including decreases of 100 MT), and China (600 MT, including decreases of 1,100 MT).  Exports of 16,500 MT were up 13 percent from the previous week and 10 percent from the prior 4-week average. 
The destinations were primarily to South Korea (4,900 MT), Japan (4,300 MT), China (2,400 MT), Taiwan (1,400 MT), and Mexico (1,200 MT). 

Pork: 
Net sales of 18,300 MT for 2022 were up 1 percent from the previous week, but down 46 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were primarily for Mexico (4,800 MT, including decreases of 900 MT), South Korea (3,400 MT, including decreases of 400 MT),
Japan (3,300 MT, including decreases of 1,100 MT), Canada (2,400 MT, including decreases of 400 MT), and the Dominican Republic (1,600 MT).  Exports of 31,000 MT were up 2 percent from the previous week, but unchanged from the prior 4-week average.  The destinations
were primarily to Mexico (14,200 MT), Japan (4,900 MT), China (3,500 MT), South Korea (2,600 MT), and Canada (1,700 MT).