China’s corn deep-processing enterprises facing challenges due to expired subsidies 02-18-2016

In Jan. 2016, China's corn deep-processing enterprises were facing challenges following the end of subsidies and the export tax rebate. However, enterprises have not raised their quotations because of the sufficient market inventory.

 

Enterprises have an incentive to pursue exports because of the sluggish domestic market and the devaluation of the RMB.

In Jan. 2016, China's corn deep-processing enterprises were facing new challenges because many government subsidies have expired.

 

The subsidy policy in Jilin Province, one of the main corn processing provinces in China, came to an end on 31 Dec., 2015. Before that, the subsidy was USD53.82/t (RMB350/t) for processing temporarily-stored corn while the subsidy was USD38.44/t (RMB250/t) for processing non-temporarily-stored corn.

 

In addition, the export tax rebate policy on corn products including corn starch, MSG, ethanol and fiber also expired at the end of 2015. The original export tax rebate rate was 13%.

 

Without the help of the above two policies, some deep-processing enterprises again suffered from losses due to the rising production costs.

 

 

 

According to CCM, in the second work week of Jan. 2016, the average gross profit of corn starch manufacturers and corn alcohol manufacturers were:

 

Corn starch

l Jilin: -USD1 1 .53/t (-RMB75/t)

l Shandong: -USD1 0.46/t (-RMB68/t)

Corn alcohol

l Heilongjiang: -USD64.58/t (-RMB420/t)


Most enterprises are holding a wait-and-see attitude towards the market. As a result, the average operating rate has recorded a slight MoM drop in Jan.:

 

l Corn starch: about 75%, a MoM fall of 6 percentage points

l Corn alcohol: about 60%, a MoM fall of 4 percentage points


Notably, enterprises are not increasing their quotations when facing the increased production cost and declined operating rate.


Therefore, the market prices of many corn products showed MoM decrease in Jan. 2016. However, some corn products are currently in their traditional sales seasons.

 

l Corn starch (North China): USD361 .36/t (RMB2,350/t), a MoM fall of 2.77%

l MSG (40 meshes): USD1 ,037.32/t (RMB6,980/t), a MoM fall of 1 .90%

l Maltose syrup (75% content): USD353.67/t (RMB2,300/t), a MoM fall of 4.67%


The sufficient market inventory is the main reason why enterprises were not increasing their quotations.

Since the subsidy policies would come to an end, deep-processing enterprises increased their operating rate at the end of Dec. 2015 to catch the last chance to enjoy the subsidy. As a result, the market supply is sufficient. Take corn starch as an example, the operating rate of corn starch enterprises in Jilin reached 81 % in Dec. 2015. At the end of Dec., the total inventory was 119,700 tonnes in Jilin, up 19.34% year on year (100,300 tonnes in Dec. 201 4).

 

China's market prices of MSG (40 meshes), corn starch (North China) and maltose syrup (75% content), Jan. 2014-Jan. 2016

Note: Unit: USD/t

Source: CCM

 

At the same time, although enterprises have benefited less from exporting without the export tax rebate, they are still active in quoting export prices. CCM believes that this is attributed to two aspects:

 

Sluggish domestic market

China's market prices of corn starch (North China), MSG (40 meshes) and maltose syrup (75% content) have hit 4, 3 and 2-year lows. Enterprises are pinning their hopes on the export market due to poor domestic sales.

 

Devaluation of RMB

According to the People's Bank of China, on 7 Jan., 2015, the USD/RMB exchange rate reached 6.5594. It is predicted that the RMB will keep devaluing, which offsets the increased costs of exporting brought about by the cancelation of the export tax rebate.

 

For instance, if the average ex-work prices of corn starch (after-tax) is RMB2,300/t in both Jan. 2015 and Jan. 2016 , the cost of exports in Jan. 2015 will be RMB350/t less than that in Jan. 2016 because the export tax rebate rate was applicable in Jan. 2015. However, when the price is converted to dollars, the price difference will be shrunk because of the devaluation of the RMB.

Cost of export of corn starch based on export tax rebate rate and USD/RMB exchange rate, Jan. 2015 & Jan. 2016

Time

After-tax ex-works price (RMB/t)

Value added tax

Export tax rebate rate

Tax rebate (RMB/t)

Cost of export (RMB/t)

USD/RMB exchange rate

Cost of export (USD/t)

Jan. 2015

2,300

17%

13%

350

1,950

6.1190

318.68

Jan. 2016

2,300

17%

0

0

2,300

6.5032

353.67

Note: Tax rebate = after-tax ex-works price / (1+value added tax) * export tax rebate rate;

         Cost of export = after-tax ex-works price - tax rebate.

Source: CCM

 

It is very likely that these two policies will be reimplemented in China.

 

Firstly, Jilin organized a meeting on 4 Jan., 2016 with corn deep-processing enterprises, discussing their financial conditions after receiving subsidies in Q4 2015. Most enterprises revealed that they have applied for subsidies for H1 2016.

 

Secondly, since China will speed up the consumption of corn inventories by stimulating the export of corn products, it is predicted that the export tax rebate will be reimplemented.

 

 

About CCM:

CCM is the leading market intelligence provider for China’s agriculture, chemicals, food & ingredients and life science markets. Founded in 2001, CCM offers a range of data and content solutions, from price and trade data to industry newsletters and customized market research reports. Our clients include Monsanto, DuPont, Shell, Bayer, and Syngenta. CCM is a brand of Kcomber Inc.

 

For more information about CCM, please visit www.cnchemicals.com or get in touch with us directly by emailingecontact@cnchemicals.com or calling +86-20-37616606.

 

Tag: corn

 

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