EU wheat drops with Chicago as Russia supply worries ease
PARIS, Oct 18 (Reuters) -European wheat futures fell on Friday, pressured by a slide in Chicago and easing concerns about Russian supply, traders said.
December wheat BL2Z4 on Paris-based Euronext settled 1.6% lower at 226.50 euros ($246.09) a metric ton, putting the contract down 1% over the week.
CBOT wheat Wv1 fell about 3% to a new three-week low. GRA/
The return of rain to parched Russian winter wheat belts this week and limited immediate impact on export markets from Russian government steps to regulate prices have tempered supply worries.
At a meeting with grain exporters last Friday, the Russian agriculture ministry proposed a price floor of $250 per metric ton on a free-on-board basis for wheat exported in international tenders, according to sources.
A lull in international demand meant there was no immediate indication of how the move may play out in overseas markets, while some traders were sceptical after a previous price floor last year appeared to vary in its application.
“Some importers are waiting to see if Russia’s minimum export price will be rigidly imposed or if it can be evaded again in private sales and whether there will be further increases in Russian export taxes,” one German trader said.
Traders said 12.5% Russian October/November Black Sea shipment wheat was on Friday quoted around $240-$245 a ton FOB, but with $235 seen as the more realistic market level.
Russian 11.5% protein wheat was at around $240 and Ukrainian 11.5% at around $231-$233.
Traders said Ukrainian wheat remained competitive in southern Europe and large volumes were still being shipped despite renewed Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports.
Ukrainian 11% milling wheat was on Friday quoted at 230-240 euros a ton including delivery to north Italy for October/November arrival.
Rain relief in southern Russia and the U.S. Plains, as well as forecasts suggesting heavy rain in France will abate during the rest of the month, also curbed futures.
"It hasn't rained a lot in southern Russia but the dry trend has been broken," a futures dealer said.
In France, 10% of the expected soft wheat area had been sown by Oct. 14, well below the five-year average of 27%, farm office FranceAgriMer said, as soggy conditions slowed field work.
($1 = 0.9204 euros)
Reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris and Michael Hogan in Hamburg; Editing by Mark Potter
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