Seeds Market Report 31.7.2015
Pumpkin
Old crop is all but sold out .New crop is at the moment growing in North Western and North Eastern China and our main shippers are visiting the main growing areas in Xinjiang Province and Inner Mongolia.
Due to the historically high prices for pumpkin this year quite a few farmers have switched from Sunflower and Corn to Pumpkin , so overall acreage is up from last year but we must wait until end August /September to see how the yields and quality will be..
As previously mentioned the crops were late this year in being planted due to the wet Spring so a slightly later than normal crop is expected, first shipments of Shine Skin will be available early October and for GWS mid /second half October, so new crop material will arrive mid/end November in the UK.
Demand continues to increase for seeds worldwide and especially domestically in China for roasting at the New Year holiday so we do not see prices dropping drastically when the crop becomes available this Autumn.
We will have a more definite idea of the crop size etc end August /early September.
Sunflower
Bakery Grade
Bulgaria is getting ready to start the harvest in about 2/3 weeks which is a little earlier than normal due to the very warm Summer they are having.
Rumours of a drought and a very small crop appear to be unfounded as our two main shippers both believe the crop will be a good average size, maybe about 7 pct down from last year’s very large crop that saw prices tumble last Autumn.
Demand is strong for oil crushing and for kernel production so we don’t see prices dropping a lot once the crop comes off the fields and initially there will be a big demand for seeds as there is no old crop left at all.
Generally feel that prices are at good levels and the chance of any significant drop is minimal from current levels, maybe maximum 30/50 Euros pmt but no more.
Confectionery grade
China continues to be very competitive against USA origin and signs are that the new crop will be a good size crop as well so don’t see any major changes in the market for the foreseeable future.
Would suggest taking cover forward into 2016 at current levels
Sesame
Prices in India for hulled sesame have come off a bit in the last few weeks due to various reasons
1) Good Monsoon
2)There is a lack of demand for August/September shipment due to the economic crisis in Greece- Greece had been a very large buyer from India previously.
3)USD has become stronger against Indian Rupee.
4)The Ocean freights to Europe have come down and are at historically low levels.
With the above and the improved Stg/USD exchange rate prices look attractive at the moment. Suggest cover up to November 2015.
Main new crop is being planted now and will be harvested mid /end October for early November 2015 shipment.
Linseeds
Prices look very attractive at the moment for both brown and yellow. New crops are progressing well in Russia, Kazakhstan and Moldavia and the harvest will commence in about 4/6 weeks time.
Would suggest taking forward cover at current levels as any significant downward movement looks unlikely. 
Hulled Millet seeds
New crop is again progressing well in the USA, prices have moved up a little over the last couple of months due to increased demand but still remain competitive and we expect no real change in levels in the coming months.
Expect new crop to arrive in October in the UK.
Poppy seeds
Market is relatively stable and the new harvest is just starting in the coming weeks. We expect a similar overall crop size to last year despite higher plantings this year. Th
ere has been some unfavourable weather in the Czech Republic and Eastern Europe in the past months, basically it has been too dry and some of the increased acreages even had to be re sown. So we expect prices to remain approximately where they are as long as the crop comes of the fields OK in the coming few week.
Hoping the above overview is of some use and if any firm offers etc are required, please do not hesitate to contact us.