Corn: Industrial developments predict a spur in domestic demand

May 25, 2018 at 2:46 PM , Starry Night Ltd.
Such fields look encouragingly on the background of the belated sowing campaign this year.
Such fields look encouragingly on the background of the belated sowing campaign this year.
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SOFIA. A farmer needs to analyse the complexities of the market to benefit fully. Structural changes in production capacities are expected to increase local demand.

BULGARIA. A savvy farmer is not one that exclusively spends time in the field, hoping for natural forces to bless grains. No, a savvy farmer is one who looks beyond the necessities of today, firmly planning for the future, by analysing short-term prospects that foment long-term consequences on the market. That is why, from all other market players in the local corn industry, farmers should be best attuned to any new sector’s initiatives. Investments, targeted to increase the processing capacities of local corn factories, will substantially surge the demand for locally grown corn. Recently, a factory announced such plans, which will inevitably lead to a positive spur in the consumption of the grain.

Corn: Changing patterns of domestic demand

The largest share of locally grown corn is used by the livestock sector, as by the 18th of May 2018, demand for the grain for feed reached 548,000 mt, which on a yearly basis represents an increase of 8.09%. Throughout the years, it has become apparent that the dynamics on the wheat export market compel local mills to turn to corn as a substitute.

       Harvest 2017-18

(01.09.2017 - 18.05.2018)

           units in MT

Beginning availability

580,000

Aggregate output

2,562,749

Imports

19,370

Domestic consumption

963,600

   food & industrial usage

408,000

   feed

548,000

   seeds

7,600

Exports to the world

1,182,088

   to EU markets

   946,270

   to rest of the world

   235,818

Source: Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture

However, a major boost in local demand has been recorded in the food & industrial sector. By the end of last week, consumption by the sector reached 408,000 mt while a year earlier, the figure stood at 300,000 mt. The change represents a raise of 36% in favour of the current year. Because investments in corn processing capacities have been undertaken, the rise within the sector is expected to increase substantially in the upcoming year, while keeping the momentum high during the subsequent ones. According to local market players, corn processed for starch and other food staple is forecasted to rise close to a multifold. In addition, corn used for biodiesel is also expected to record a significant increase.

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