At first glance, U.S. wheat exports as of Nov. 1 are disappointing. Five months into the 2012-13 current marketing year, the export total of 14.7 million metric tons is 9% lower than last year and less than half the USDA's forecast of 31.3 million metric tons.
These numbers don't tell the whole story, however, says Vince Peterson, vice president of overseas operations for U.S. Wheat Associates, the nation's international wheat marketing assistance organization. Peterson spoke at the recent U.S. Wheat Associates/National Assn. of Wheat Growers fall board meetings in Houston.
Peterson, who directs U.S. Wheat's 70 employees in 15 overseas offices, says global markets are driven by many factors that are out of the control of U.S. Wheat and American farmers. This year, drought in Russia and Ukraine has forced both of these major competitors to reduce exports to their major customers in northern Africa and the Middle East. In fact, the Ukraine was expected to stop exporting wheat after November 15. This prompts a domino effect. France - home to Europe's largest stockpile of wheat - will run out of export wheat by mid-winter, Peterson says.
Vince Peterson, who directs U.S. Wheat's 70 employees in 15 overseas offices, says global wheat markets are driven by many factors that are out of the control of U.S. Wheat and American wheat farmers.
"That puts the logistical reach back to the U.S. We haven't done much from July to October in the Middle East due to the presence of those two suppliers. We're right on the verge of picking up on our window of opportunity, which is going to be the second six to eight months of the year rather than the first four or five," Peterson explains.
There could be opportunity for U.S. exports to Brazil, thanks to weather issues in Argentina. Peterson says that nation's crop was hindered first by drought, and then by rain causing quality problems. Brazil would normally buy seven million metric tons from Argentina, but that's not going to be the case this year.
"That's a window we didn't have before that may be bigger this year than in previous years," he explains. "The Argentine problems will be a boon for us the second half of the year. Where normally they would come in November or December with a big export program, it will be very modest this year."