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Corn, Soybean Conditions Hold Steady

USDA’s Crop Progress and Conditions report on July 1 was, for the first time this growing season, a snoozer. USDA data indicates planting of corn and soybeans is for the most part complete. Still, we’re not out of the woods yet. Soybean emergence is behind at 83% compared to the five-year-average of 95%. Additionally, conditions ratings held steady last week, but still indicate yield issues could be brewing. Fifty-six percent of the nation’s corn is rated good to excellent. Surprisingly, North Dakota is the current garden spot, with 79% of the crop rated good to excellent. Ohio and Missouri are tied for the worst crop with just 31% of the crop rated good to excellent. When it comes to soybeans, 54% of the crop is rated good to excellent. Tennessee boasts the best-looking soybeans, with 72% of the crop rated good to excellent. Ohio soybeans continue to struggle, with just 28% of the crop rated good to excellent. Winter wheat harvest marched on last week, but at 30% harvested, is still well-behind last year’s 50%.
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Quarterly Grain Stocks: Corn Down 2%, Soybeans Up 47%

Corn stocks in all positions on June 1, 2019 totaled 5.20 billion bushels, down 2 percent from June 1, 2018. Of the total stocks, 2.95 billion bushels are stored on farms, up 7 percent from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 2.25 billion bushels, are down 12 percent from a year ago. The March - May 2019 indicated disappearance is 3.41 billion bushels, compared with 3.59 billion bushels during the same period last year. Soybeans stored in all positions on June 1, 2019 totaled 1.79 billion bushels, up 47 percent from June 1, 2018. On-farm stocks totaled 730 million bushels, up 94 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 1.06 billion bushels, are up 26 percent from a year ago. Indicated disappearance for the March - May 2019 quarter totaled 937 million bushels, up 5 percent from the same period a year earlier. Old crop all wheat stored in all positions on June 1, 2019 totaled 1.07 billion bushels, down 2 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks are estimated at 207 million bushels, up 58 percent from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 865 million bushels, are down 11 percent from a year ago. The March - May 2019 indicated disappearance is 521 million bushels, up 31 percent from the same period a year earlier. Old crop Durum wheat stocks in all positions on June 1, 2019 totaled 55.2 million bushels, up 58 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 26.1 million bushels, are up 74 percent from June 1, 2018. Off-farm stocks totaled 29.1 million bushels, up 46 percent from a year ago. The March - May 2019 indicated disappearance of 19.2 million bushels is up 32 percent from the same period a year earlier. Old crop barley stocks in all positions on June 1, 2019 totaled 86.6 million bushels, down 8 percent from June 1, 2018. On-farm stocks are estimated at 22.9 million bushels, 13 percent below a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 63.7 million bushels, are 6 percent below June 1, 2018. The March - May 2019 indicated disappearance is 34.8 million bushels, 2 percent below the same period a year earlier. Old crop oats stored in all positions on June 1, 2019 totaled 36.9 million bushels, 10 percent below the stocks on June 1, 2018. Of the total stocks on hand, 10.5 million bushels are stored on farms, 8 percent below a year ago. Off-farm stocks totaled 26.4 million bushels, 11 percent below the previous year. Indicated disappearance during March - May 2019 totaled 13.4 million bushels, 4 percent below the same period a year ago. Grain sorghum stored in all positions on June 1, 2019 totaled 115 million bushels, up 75 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 9.47 million bushels, are up 81 percent from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 105 million bushels, are up 75 percent from June 1, 2018. The March - May 2019 indicated disappearance from all positions is 78.1 million bushels, up 4 percent from the same period last year.
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USDA June Acreage Report: Corn Up 3%, Soybeans Down 10%

Corn planted area for all purposes in 2019 is estimated at 91.7 million acres, up 3 percent from last year. Compared with last year, planted acres are up or unchanged in 40 of the 48 estimating States. Area harvested for grain, at 83.6 million acres, is up 2 percent from last year. Soybean planted area for 2019 is estimated at 80.0 million acres, down 10 percent from last year. This represents the lowest soybean planted acreage in the United States since 2013. Compared with last year, planted acreage is down in all 29 estimating States. All wheat planted area for 2019 is estimated at 45.6 million acres, down 5 percent from 2018. This represents the lowest all wheat planted area on record since records began in 1919. The 2019 winter wheat planted area, at 31.8 million acres, is down 2 percent from last year but up 1 percent from the previous estimate. Of this total, about 22.7 million acres are Hard Red Winter, 5.54 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.55 million acres are White Winter. Area planted to other spring wheat for 2019 is estimated at 12.4 million acres, down 6 percent from 2018. Of this total, about 12.0 million acres are Hard Red Spring wheat. Durum planted area for 2019 is estimated at 1.40 million acres, down 32 percent from the previous year. All cotton planted area for 2019 is estimated at 13.7 million acres, 3 percent below last year. Upland area is estimated at 13.4 million acres, down 3 percent from 2018. American Pima area is estimated at 275,000 acres, up 10 percent from 2018.
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Condition Ratings, Emergence Numbers Indicate Issues Linger for Grains

Farmers across the country have battled Mother Nature for months, fighting to get corn and soybean crops planted. In this week’s USDA Crop Progress report, the agency noted that 96% of the nation’s corn and 85% of the nation’s soybeans are planted. But as emergence numbers and conditions rating imply, getting the crop planted is just the start of the battle. As of June 23, just 89% of the corn and 71% of the country’s soybeans were emerged. While those numbers are up from 79% and 55% last week, they are vastly behind their historical averages of 99% and 91% respectively. Several states are showing critically slow emergence, including Ohio and Michigan. Typically at this time 99% of Ohio’s corn has emerged. According to USDA just 66% of the state’s corn is out of the ground. The situation is similar for soybeans, which are just 45% emerged compared to their historical average of 92%. In Michigan the situation is much the same. Corn there should be 98% emerged and it’s 62% emerged. Soybeans should be 93% emerged, but only sit at 48% emerged. For the crops that have emerged, weather continues to be a challenge. USDA Monday reported corn conditions are 59% good-to-excellent, consistent with the average trade guess, according to Reuters. However, soybeans are just 54% good-to-excellent, falling 5 percentage points behind the average trade guess for this week. According to Karen Braun of Reuters, this is lowest initial rating for soybeans since 1992, when it was 51% good-to-excellent. Mother Nature is challenging wheat farmers too. According to the report, harvest crews did make some progress on winter wheat last week, moving the needle from 8% harvest to 15%. However, this is well behind the five-year-average of 34% harvested.
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Lighthizer Plans to Resume Talks with China

Lead negotiators between the U.S. and China plan to restart conversations this week. That news comes from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer during his second day of testimony on Capitol Hill. The ambassador appears before the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday. Like the previous day's hearing at the Senate, Lighthizer covers a litany of trade topics with much of the focus is encouraging Congress to move forward on the U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement. During the hearing, Lighthizer was asked about the president's tweet that he plans to resume trade conversations with China. "I think it's in the interest of both China and the United States to have some kind of a successful agreement and the president has said He definitely wants an agreement if we can get a great agreement for America," says Lighthizer. "I have a conversation set up with my counterpart on the telephone the next day and a half and then I expect to meet with him and with Secretary Mnuchin in Osaka." Rep. Ron Kind (R-Wisc.) weighed in on the Chinese trade negotiation and its impact on farmers and dairy farmers in his home state. "The president's trade war that he has decided to engage virtually everyone throughout the globe is having a real damaging effect on folks back home," says Kind. "We've lost over 50 percent market share and 50 percent of our exports of dairy products going into China in the last year alone." Kind says when he goes home, trade is a big topic. "I'm talking to these farmers and the fear I hear in their voices, the fear I see in their eyes is real and they're getting wiped out," says Kind. "We had record bankruptcies last year, two a day and that's gone to three a day this year." Kind says if the president is hoping to carry Wisconsin in next year's election this isn't helping. Lighthizer responding to the comments saying that if it's certainty they're looking for then passing USMCA is the first place to start. Lighthizer also mentioned his work with Japan and considerations for additional free trade agreements with other countries include restarting talks with India, Switzerland, the UK and a country in Africa.
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Millions Of Corn, Soybean Acres Remain Unplanted

As of June 16, USDA estimates 92% of the U.S. corn crop has been planted. That compares to a five-year average for mid-June of 100% planted. Today’s planting pace matches the pre-report trade estimate. Ohio farmers have planted 68% of the state’s crop, which is the lowest percent planted of the top 18 corn-producing states. South Dakota is at 78% planted, while Michigan and Indiana are at 84% planted. Illinois is now 88% planted. The five-year average for each of these states by mid-June is 100% complete. With 92% planted, that means 7.2 million acres of corn remain unplanted, per USDA current acreage estimate. As of June 11, USDA shaved off 3 million corn acres, making the 2019 estimate 89.8 million due to unprecedented planting delays through June and likely prevent plant claims. In addition, USDA lowered the national average corn yield to 166 bu./acre—a 10 bu. per acre drop from its original estimate. Nearly 80% of the U.S. corn crop has emerged. By this time normally 97% of the crop has emerged. As far as condition, 7% of the corn crop is rated excellent, 52% is rated good, 31% rated fair, 8% rated poor and 2% rated very poor. For soybeans, 77% of the U.S. crop has been planted—a 17 percentage point jump from June 9. This compares to a five-year average of 93% planted. The pre-report average trade guess for soybean planting progress was 79% complete. Although adverse weather has significantly slowed soybean planting progress this year, USDA left soybean acres and production forecasts unchanged. For this year, USDA is estimating 84.6 million soybean acres and a national average yield of 49.5 bu./acre. That means 19.5 million acres of soybeans remain unplanted. Of the major soybean-growing states, Ohio is the furthest behind with only 46% of the state’s soybeans planted. Other states that are significantly behind average in planting are Michigan at 53%, Missouri at 57%, Indiana at 64%, Illinois at 70% and South Dakota at 70%. Just over half—55%—of the U.S. soybean crop has emerged, which compares to a five-year average of 84% by mid-June.
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USDA Research to Move to Kansas City

USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will relocate to the Kansas City area under a plan announced Thursday by Secretary Sonny Perdue. “Following a rigorous site selection process, the Kansas City Region provides a win win—maximizing our mission function by putting taxpayer savings into programmatic outputs and providing affordability, easy commutes, and extraordinary living for our employees,” Perdue said in a release announcing the move. “The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be a hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve. This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.” USDA estimates the move will save the agency nearly $300 million over the next 15 years. State and local governments offered $26 million in incentives for the move, according to USDA. The move was cheered by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) as the offices are moving to his home state. “I am excited to hear USDA selected Kansas City as the new location for the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Agricultural research is a critical function of USDA, and I am committed to ensuring we continue to support and strengthen the research mission that our US producers rely on. Kansas City is an obvious choice, as many other USDA agencies in the area partner closely with stakeholders,” said Sen. Roberts. “The vital research that will occur at the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF) and already occurs throughout the KC Animal Health Corridor makes Kansas City a natural fit. I am pleased that USDA recognizes the rich resources the heartland provides.” The move is not without controversy. Employees at both units have voted to unionize since the announcement was made that USDA planned to move the offices outside of the Washington, D.C. area. Scientists at the two offices have argued that the move will take USDA scientists further from their key cooperation partners in the Washington area. “This announced move points to a troubling history of non-transparent decision-making at USDA,” said Cong. Marcia Fudge (D-OH), chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations. “USDA has rushed this process, failed to give sufficient time for input and feedback, and disregarded the very public opposition of those who rely on the products that ERS and NIFA produce. The good-governance failures represented by this process should give everyone pause. I am much more concerned about the hundreds of ERS and NIFA employees who now have as little as 30 days to decide whether they want to uproot their families based on the whim of the Secretary.” As part of the relocation announcement last August, Secretary Perdue also indicated he planned to move ERS to the Office of the Chief Economist. As part of today’s announcement, Perdue indicated that plan has been scuttled and ERS will remain under the Research, Education and Economics area of USDA. USDA will relocate 294 positions at NIFA and 253 at ERS. USDA reported that no employees will be involuntarily separated because of the relocation.
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Arrest Made in Fair Oaks Farm Investigation

The Newton County, Indiana Sheriff's Office announced officers have arrested one of three men charged following accusations of animal abuse at the nation's largest dairy farm. Police arrested 36-year-old Edgar Vasquez on a warrant for animal cruelty (Class A Misdemeanor) and torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal (Level 6 Felony). Police say Vasquez is from Brook, Indiana. He is currently being held at the Newton County Jail. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a hold on Vasquez. There are still warrants out for 31-year old Santiago Contreros and 38-year old Miguel Navarro Serrano. They are both charged with the beating of a vertebrate animal, which is a misdemeanor. The charges came after an animal rights group released a video showing workers at Fair Oaks Farms in Northern Indiana kicking and throwing young calves. A lawsuit has also been filed alleging fraud. It was filed in Chicago federal court by a California man who is a consumer of Fairlife milk. The man says he purchased Fairlife because of the promise listed on the label stating the farmers who supply the milk provide "extraordinary animal care". Now, that same animal rights group has released a third video from another Fair Oaks farm barn. It shows cows being milked on a carousel after apparently giving birth. The narration on the video claims bloody, injured cows are forced onto the milking carousel. Dairy industry experts reviewed the video and say the bloody cows had just given birth. They say it appears to be standard operating procedure in most cases, except for a few instances where animal handling could be improved.
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The Newton County, Indiana Sheriff's Office announced officers have arrested one of three men charged following accusations of animal abuse at the nation's largest dairy farm. Police arrested 36-year-old Edgar Vasquez on a warrant for animal cruelty (Class A Misdemeanor) and torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal (Level 6 Felony). Police say Vasquez is from Brook, Indiana. He is currently being held at the Newton County Jail. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a hold on Vasquez. There are still warrants out for 31-year old Santiago Contreros and 38-year old Miguel Navarro Serrano. They are both charged with the beating of a vertebrate animal, which is a misdemeanor. The charges came after an animal rights group released a video showing workers at Fair Oaks Farms in Northern Indiana kicking and throwing young calves. A lawsuit has also been filed alleging fraud. It was filed in Chicago federal court by a California man who is a consumer of Fairlife milk. The man says he purchased Fairlife because of the promise listed on the label stating the farmers who supply the milk provide "extraordinary animal care". Now, that same animal rights group has released a third video from another Fair Oaks farm barn. It shows cows being milked on a carousel after apparently giving birth. The narration on the video claims bloody, injured cows are forced onto the milking carousel. Dairy industry experts reviewed the video and say the bloody cows had just given birth. They say it appears to be standard operating procedure in most cases, except for a few instances where animal handling could be improved.
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Corn Production Trimmed by 1.4 Billion Bushels

WHEAT: U.S. 2019/20 wheat supplies are down with lower beginning stocks partly offset by slightly higher production. Beginning stocks are down 25 million bushels on increased 2018/19 exports. Winter wheat production is forecast up 6 million bushels to 1,274 million with an increase to Hard Red Winter more than offsetting decreases for Soft Red Winter and White Winter. Total wheat production is now forecast at 1,903 million bushels, up 5.8 million bushels from the May forecast. Exports for 2019/20 are unchanged at 900 million bushels but feed and residual use is raised 50 million bushels to 140 million on reduced projected corn supplies. Ending stocks are lowered 69 million bushels to 1,072 million, and the season-average farm price is raised $0.40 per bushel to $5.10. The price increase reflects sharply higher wheat futures prices and reduced 2019/20 corn supplies. World 2019/20 wheat supplies are raised 4.9 million tons on a 1.6-million-ton increase in beginning stocks and a 3.3-million-ton increase in global production. India’s wheat crop is raised 1.2 million tons on updated government data. Production in Russia and Ukraine are each raised 1.0 million tons reflecting favorable weather to date. Projected 2019/20 global trade is expanded 0.8 million tons with a 1.0-million-ton increase for Russia and a 0.5-million-ton increase for Ukraine, both due to larger crops. Russian exports are now projected at 37.0 million tons and Ukraine exports are projected at a record 19.5 million. Partly offsetting is a 0.5-million-ton decrease for EU exports with greater competition from Black Sea origins. Projected 2019/20 world consumption is raised 3.6 million tons on both higher food and feed and residual use. With supplies rising more than use, ending stocks are projected up 1.3 million tons to a record 294.3 million. COARSE GRAINS: This month’s 2019/20 U.S. corn outlook is for increased beginning stocks and imports, sharply lower production, reduced feed and residual use and exports, and smaller ending stocks. Beginning stocks are up reflecting a 100-million-bushel decline in projected exports for 2018/19 to 2.2 billion bushels, based on current outstanding sales and reduced U.S. price competitiveness. Corn production for 2019/20 is forecast to decline 1.4 billion bushels to 13.7 billion, which if realized would be the lowest since 2015/16. Unprecedented planting delays observed through early June are expected to prevent some plantings and reduce yield prospects. USDA will release its Acreage report on June 28, which will provide survey-based indications of planted and harvested area. With sharply lower supplies, use is projected to decline 425 million bushels to 14.3 billion, based on reductions to feed and residual use and exports. With supplies falling more than use, ending stocks are projected to decline 810 million bushels to 1.7 billion, which if realized would be the lowest since 2013/14. The season-average farm price is raised 50 cents to $3.80 per bushel. This month’s 2019/20 foreign coarse grain outlook is for lower production, increased trade and lower stocks relative to last month. Argentina corn production is raised on increased area with higher prices. Canada corn production is lowered on reductions to both area and yield with planting delays in Ontario. Russia corn production is higher based on government data indicating larger-than-expected planted area. Barley production is lowered for the EU reflecting a reduction for Spain. For 2018/19, Brazil corn production is raised based on the latest government statistics. Major global trade changes for 2019/20 include larger forecast corn exports for Argentina and Russia, with a partly offsetting reduction for Zambia. For 2018/19, exports are raised for Brazil and Argentina for the local marketing year beginning in March 2019 based on higher-than-expected shipments during May. Foreign corn ending stocks are lowered from last month mostly reflecting reductions for Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the EU. RICE: The outlook for 2019/20 U.S. rice this month is for lower supplies, reduced domestic use and exports, and lower ending stocks. Projected U.S. all rice production is lowered 20.1 million cwt or 9 percent to 198.1 million with all of the decrease in long-grain, primarily on a reduction in planted area. The excessive spring precipitation in the Delta is expected to result in lower rice area in this region compared to the NASS Prospective Plantings intended acreage, issued March 29. Partially offsetting the smaller production are higher projected imports, which are raised by 1.2 million cwt to a record large 29.2 million with increases for both long-grain and medium- and short-grain. All rice projected domestic and residual use is lowered 7.0 million cwt to 133.0 million, mainly the result of reduced long-grain supplies. Projected all rice exports are reduced 1.0 million cwt to 100.0 million. The reduction in long-grain exports on higher projected prices is partially offset by increased medium- and short-grain exports as a portion of outstanding sales from the 2018/19 market year are expected to be shifted to 2019/20. Projected 2019/20 all rice ending stocks are lowered 7.2 million cwt to 51.6 million with long-grain accounting for all of the reduction. The projected 2019/20 all rice season-average farm price (SAFP) is raised by $0.50 per cwt to $11.70 with increases in the projected SAFPs of all rice classes this month. Global 2019/20 rice supplies are decreased by 0.5 million tons to 667.8 million as higher carryin stocks are more than offset by lower production. Global production is down as reductions for the United States, North Korea, and Thailand are not completely offset by higher projected production for Madagascar, Egypt, and the EU. World 2019/20 consumption is lowered fractionally to 496.0 million tons on reduced expected use in China, North Korea, and the United States more than offsetting higher use in Madagascar, Bangladesh, Burma, and Egypt. Global 2019/20 trade is lowered 0.4 million tons to 47.2 million as reduced exports by India, Burma, and the United States are not completely offset by higher exports by China. Projected world ending stocks are adjusted lower this month to 171.9 million tons but remain record large. OILSEEDS: This month’s U.S. soybean supply and use projections for 2019/20 include higher beginning and ending stocks. Beginning stocks are raised reflecting a 75-million-bushel reduction in projected exports for 2018/19 based on lower-than-expected shipments in May and a lower import forecast for China. Although adverse weather has significantly slowed soybean planting progress this year, area and production forecasts are unchanged with several weeks remaining in the planting season. With soybean use unchanged, 2019/20 ending stocks are projected at 1,045 million bushels, down 25 million from the revised 2018/19 projection. Other changes for 2018/19 include increased soybean meal imports and exports, reduced soybean oil used for biodiesel production, and higher soybean oil ending stocks. The 2019/20 season-average price for soybeans is forecast at $8.25 per bushel, up 15 cents reflecting the impact of higher corn prices. Soybean meal prices are forecast at $295 per short ton, up 5 dollars. The soybean oil price forecast is unchanged at 29.5 cents per pound. The 2019/20 global soybean supply and use projections include lower production and stocks compared to last month. Global production is down 0.3 million tons to 355.4 million due to lower crops for Ukraine and Zambia. The 2019/20 soybean ending stocks are lowered 0.4 million tons mainly reflecting lower carryin due to revisions to 2018/19 balance sheets. Beginning stocks for 2019/20 are reduced for Argentina and China offsetting higher stocks for the United States. For Argentina, stocks are lowered on a 1.5-million-ton increase to exports to 7.8 million for 2018/19 based on the recent pace of shipments. Beginning stocks are lowered for China due to a 1-million-ton decrease to imports to 85 million for 2018/19. SUGAR: U.S. sugarbeet production for 2019/20 is projected at 33.916 million tons, up 1 percent from last month. Overall planting progress in the United States advanced beyond the pace indicated last month to move the yield forecast to 30.8 tons/acre, up from 30.5. Based on average levels of beet pile shrink and slicing recovery, beet sugar production from this crop is projected at 4.992 million short tons, raw value (STRV) with production occurring in August and September at 511,111. This results in fiscal 2018/19 beet sugar production at 4.920 million STRV, a gain of 9,509 STRV. This increase is largely offset by lower 2018/19 Florida cane sugar production reported by processors. High-tier tariff imports for 2018/19 are increased by 20,000 STRV to 90,000 based on the pace of entries to date. These supply changes result in ending stocks for 2018/19 residually increasing to 1.526 million STRV, implying a stocks-to-use ratio of 12.40 percent, up marginally over last month. Beet sugar production for 2019/20 is projected at 5.154 million STRV based on the larger sugarbeet crop. This increase is partially offset by lower cane sugar production in Texas due to weather-related area reductions for the 2019/20 crop as reported by the processor. With no changes to imports or use, the combination of higher beginning stocks of 20,469 STRV and a net production increase of 23,457 STRV implies ending stocks of 1.528 million and a stocks-to-use ratio of 12.37 percent. Mexico sugar production for 2018/19 is estimated at 6.400 million metric tons (MT) based on CONADESUCA-estimated area of 796,770 hectares (ha) and USDA estimates of yield at 71.08 MT/ha and sucrose recovery of 11.30 percent. Mexico sugar production for 2019/20 is projected at 6.183 million MT assuming the same area as in 2018/19 and 5-year averages of sugarcane yield and sucrose recovery. With no other changes, the changes to production result in exports to non-U.S. destinations of 1.386 million MT in 2018/19 and 263,100 MT in 2019/20, based on CONADESUCA targets for ending stocks.
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