USDA Projects Drop in Soybean Production

By CnAgri2012-07-12 19:55:23 Print

According to the USDA's WASDE report, U.S. oilseed production for 2012/13 is projected at 92.7 million tons, down 4.2 million from last month, with lower soybean production accounting for most of the change. Soybean production is projected at 3.050 billion bushels, down 155 million as increased harvested area is more than offset by reduced yields.

Harvested area, estimated at 75.3 million acres in the June 29 Acreage report, is 2.3 million above the June projection. The soybean yield is projected at 40.5 bushels per acre, down 3.4 bushels from last month. The drop reflects sharply declining crop conditions resulting from limited rainfall since early April coupled with excessive heat across much of the producing area in late June and early July. Soybean supplies are 160 million bushels below last month's forecast due to lower beginning stocks and reduced production.

Soybean crush is projected at 1.61 billion bushels, down 35 million reflecting the impact of higher soybean meal prices on meal exports and domestic disappearance. Soybean exports for 2012/13 are reduced 115 million bushels to 1.37 billion reflecting lower U.S. supplies. Increased exports from South America and Canada partly offset reduced U.S. exports. Soybean ending stocks are projected at 130 million bushels, down 10 million.

U.S. soybean crush for 2011/12 is raised 15 million bushels to 1.675 billion reflecting strongerthan- expected domestic soybean meal use. Soybean exports for 2011/12 are projected at 1.34 billion bushels, up 5 million, reflecting strong late-season sales and increased imports for China. Seed use is raised and residual is reduced based on indications from the June 29 Acreage and Grain Stocks reports, respectively. Soybean ending stocks for 2011/12 are projected at 170 million bushels, down 5 million.

Prices for soybeans and soybean meal for 2012/13 are raised this month. The U.S. season average soybean price is projected at $13.00 to $15.00 per bushel, up $1.00 on both ends of the range. Soybean meal prices are projected at $365 to $395 per short ton, up $30 on both ends of the range.

The soybean oil price projection is unchanged at 52.5 to 56.5 cents per pound. Global oilseed production for 2012/13 is projected at 465.7 million tons, down 5.1 million from last month.

Lower soybean, cottonseed, and sunflowerseed production estimates are only partly offset by increases for peanuts and rapeseed. Global soybean production is projected at 267.2 million tons, down 3.9 million mostly due to lower production in the United States.

Higher soybean production for Canada resulting from increased area partly offsets the U.S. reduction. Rapeseed production is raised for Canada due to increased harvested area reflecting record plantings reported by Statistics Canada. Sunflowerseed production is reduced for Russia based on indications from planting progress data reported by Russia's Ministry of Agriculture.

Other changes include reduced rapeseed production for Russia and increased peanut, canola, and sunflowerseed production for the United States. Global oilseed ending stocks for 2012/13 are projected at 63.1 million tons, down 2.7 million as reduced supplies are only partly offset by lower crush. Lower soybean stocks in the United States and South America account for most of the change.