CIF/FOB Gulf Grain-Corn, soy barge basis steady-weak on lower freight

CHICAGO, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Basis bids for corn shipped by barge to U.S. Gulf Coast terminals were flat to lower on Wednesday, pressured by a slowdown in exporter demand and softer freight rates, traders said.

• CIF soybean barge basis bids were steady to slightly lower on dull export demand and weak freight rates.

• Exporter buying of barges eased at midweek on worries about export demand, particularly for soybeans. Top soy buyer China has avoided booking U.S. shipments due to trade tensions with Washington.

• Water levels on the lower Mississippi River are critically low and barge lines are restricting drafts and tow sizes to navigate the drought-parched waterway. Still, spot barge freight rates eased at key points in the Midwest on Wednesday. BG/US

• U.S. export sales data normally released every Thursday is suspended due to a federal government funding lapse.

• CIF basis bids for October corn barges dropped 3 cents to 78 cents over Chicago Board of Trade December CZ25 futures.

• FOB export premiums for October corn shipments were down 1 cent at 95 cents over futures.

• CIF Gulf soybean barges loaded in September were steady at 60 cents over CBOT November SX25 futures, while October barges were bid a penny lower at 59 cents over futures.

• FOB export premiums for October-loaded soybeans were 4 cents lower at 70 cents over futures.

For displays of CIF basis, click on the codes in brackets:

U.S. CIF Gulf soybeans GRYM

U.S. CIF Gulf corn GRYN

U.S. CIF Gulf SRW wheat GRYO

U.S. CIF Gulf HRW wheat GRYP
For displays of FOB basis, please click on the following codes in brackets:

U.S. FOB Gulf corn GRZC

U.S. FOB Gulf soybeans GRZD

U.S. FOB Gulf SRW wheat GRZE

U.S. FOB Gulf HRW wheat GRZF

LINKS:

Corn prices page: cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageid=corn-cash-market

Wheat prices page: cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageid=wheat-cash-market

U.S. barge freight BG/US

U.S. export sales estimates USDA/EST

U.S. grain export summary GRA/U

Brazil soybean export prices SYBS

Brazil corn export prices SYBX

Argentina grain prices GRA/ARG

Russia grain prices GRA/RU