The National Food Supply Agency (CONAB) will hold new maize auction on 25 May, in an effort to assist growers in the key producing area of Mato Grosso amid a bumper crop and low market prices. The auctions involve three financial instruments. The Government plans to sell 7 400 put options at a price of BRL 17.87 (USD 5.75) per bag of 60 kilograms, to expire on 15 September. CONAB will also offer Pepro and PEP contracts for a total amount of 1 000 000 tonnes of maize. Under these options, the Government pays a premium to participating producers who prove the effective sale and purchase of their grains, respectively. More auctions were conducted earlier in the month and about 14 800 option contracts were negotiated for an amount of nearly 400 000 tonnes of maize. CONAB also held auctions through the Pepro and PEP programs worth overall 700 000 tonnes and 500 000 tonnes of maize, respectively.