South African maize futures ended fairly mixed on Tuesday after a choppy session.
The May 2012 white maize contract was down R12 to R2,390 per ton, but July 2012 white maize edged up R2 to R2,305 per ton, and September 2012 white maize dipped R3 to R2,320 per ton, according to preliminary I-Net Bridge data.
The May 2012 yellow maize contract gained R1 to R2,241 per ton, while the July 2012 yellow maize contract slipped R1 to R2,203 per ton and the September 2012 yellow maize contract slid R42.20 to R2,203.80 per ton.
The May wheat contract was down R10 to R2,740 per ton, July wheat edged down R4 to R2,791 per ton, while the September 2012 wheat contract was up R10 to R2,800 per ton.
US soybean futures rose to a fresh six-month high on Monday on concerns about a smaller South American crop and expectations for small growth in US soy plantings.
Soybeans for May delivery ended up 1.0% at $13.79 1/2 a bushel at the Chicago Board of Trade, the highest closing price for the front-month contract since September 13.
US soy futures have rallied this year as analysts have steadily reduced their expectations for soy output in Brazil and Argentina due to drought.
Those concerns continued to boost futures on Monday, as Brazilian commodities consultancy AgRural further cut its forecast for Brazil's 2011-12 soybean production.
CBOT May corn ended down 1.4% at US$6.37 3/4 a bushel on expectations of a big US crop this year. - I-Net Bridge