Jack Scoville
Jack Scoville is an often quoted market analyst in the grain and soft commodities sectors. You will find his commentary throughout the Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Bloomberg, and Barron's publications. Contact Mr. Scoville at (312) 264-4322
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Softs Report 01/05/2024
DJ U.S. Export Sales: Weekly Sales Totals-Jan 5
For the week ended Dec 28, in thousand metric tons, except cotton in
thousand running bales. Net changes in commitments are gross sales,
less cancellations, buy-backs and other downward adjustments. Total
commitments are total export shipments plus total sales.
The marketing year for wheat and barley began Jun 1, cotton and
and rice Aug 1, corn, soybeans and sorghum Sep 1, and soymeal and
soyoil Oct 1. Source: USDA
wk’s net chg total
in commitments commitments undlvd sales
this yr next yr this yr last yr this yr next yr
wheat 131.6 4.3 15265.2 14969.9 5908.0 200.4
hrw 42.7 4.3 2672.6 4116.1 975.5 25.6
srw 31.5 0.0 4323.9 2380.3 2448.8 90.8
hrs 54.6 0.0 4888.0 4523.1 1487.7 45.0
white 2.8 0.0 3019.6 3684.1 926.3 0.0
durum 0.0 0.0 361.1 266.2 69.8 39.0
corn 367.5 -0.2 29788.7 21740.5 17398.6 1072.7
soybeans 201.6 0.6 36545.6 43617.7 13630.6 153.6
soymeal 81.4 0.0 7148.1 6199.8 3818.5 5.9
soyoil 1.2 0.0 33.5 37.1 26.2 0.6
upland cotton 131.1 0.0 8623.4 8786.4 5351.9 643.7
pima cotton 2.1 0.0 189.3 119.9 83.4 2.7
sorghum 18.7 0.0 3933.1 360.9 2004.9 177.6
barley 0.0 0.0 16.6 11.7 15.6 0.0
rice 31.2 0.0 1842.6 1039.5 771.9 0.0
COTTON
General Comments: Cotton closed lower yesterday in sideways trading. Demand for US Cotton in the export market has improved over the last couple of months and was very strong last week.. The US economic data has been positive, but the Chinese economic data has not been real positive and demand has been down. There are still many concerns about demand from China and the rest of Asia due to the slow economic return of China in the world market. There are production concerns about Australian and Indian Cotton as both countries are likely to suffer the effects of El Nino starting this Fall, but Brazil production prospects are said to be very strong.
Overnight News: The Delta will get a few showers and near to below normal temperatures. The Southeast will see s fee showers and near to below normal temperatures. Texas will have a few showers and near to below normal temperatures. The USDA average price is now 76.23 ct/lb. ICE daily certified stocks are now 3,232 bales, from 3,267 bales yesterday.
Chart Trends: Trends in Cotton are mixed. Support is at 79.70, 78.90, and 78.30 March, with resistance of 81.70, 83.10 and 83.40 March.
FCOJ
General Comments: FCOJ closed lower on reports of fund and commercial selling. The moves imply that supply is finally getting bigger than demand and imply that consumer demand has dropped significantly in recent weeks. There are no weather concerns to speak of for Florida right now with the hurricane season all but over and no major storms hitting the state recently. The weather has improved in Brazil with some moderation in temperatures and increased rainfall in the forecast for this week. Brazil got more than expected rains over the weekend. Reports of short supplies in Florida and Brazil are around. Historically low estimates of production in Florida due in part to the hurricanes and in part to the greening disease that have hurt production, but conditions are significantly better now with scattered showers and moderate temperatures.
Overnight News: Florida should get scattered showers. Temperatures will average near normal. Brazil should get scattered showers and above normal temperatures. ICE said that 0 notices were posted for delivery against January futures and that total deliveries for the month are now 0 contracts.
Chart Trends: Trends in FCOJ are mixed to up with objectives of 346.00 March. Support is at 322.00, 317.00, and 310.00 March, with resistance at 340.00, 353.00, and 363.00 March.
COFFEE
General Comments: New York closed a little lower and London closed a little higher. Brazil production areas are seeing some very beneficial rainfall this current week with up to one to three inches of rain in the forecast for some of the driest areas. Arabica and Robusta areas are affected by drought, but the current forecasts call for a lot of help in affected areas. Brazil weather remains uneven for the best crop production, but there are reports of increasing Coffee availability from Vietnam.
Overnight News: ICE certified stocks are unchanged today at 0.253 million bags. The ICO daily average price is now 171.33 ct/lb. Brazil will get mostly scattered showers with near normal temperatures. Central America will get mostly dry conditions. Vietnam will see scattered showers.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed to down with no objectives. Support is at 185.00, 183.00, and 179.00 March, and resistance is at 195.00, 200.00 and 203.00 March. Trends in London are down with objectives of 2600 and 2400 March. Support is at 2700, 2590, and 2520 March, with resistance at 2850, 2880, and 2950 March.
SUGAR
General Comments: New York and London closed higher in consolidation trading, and trends are mixed on the daily charts. There are problems with Sugar availability at this time. Brazil weather forecasts now call for dryness in the south and continued scattered showers in central and northern areas this week. The market continues to see stressful conditions in Asian production areas but has noted that India has changed its Ethanol policy to make more Sugar available to the market. There are worries about the Thai and Indian production potential due to El Nino and talk that India could turn into an importer next year. Offers from Brazil are still active but other origins. are still not offering or at least not offering in large amounts except for Ukraine, and demand is still strong. Brazil ports are very congested, so shipment of Sugar has been slower.
Overnight News: Brazil will get rains in the south and scattered showers in the north. Temperatures should average above normal. India will get mostly dry conditions and below normal temperatures.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed. Support is at 2040, 2010, and 1990 March and resistance is at 2190, 2250, and 2310 March. Trends in London are mixed. Support is at 590.00, 585.00, and 576.00 March, with resistance at 625.00, 633.00, and 639.00 March.
COCOA
Questions? Ask Jack Scoville today at 312-264-4322General Comments: Both markets closed a little higher in consolidation trading. Tops on the charts could finally be forming. Traders are worried about another short production year and these feelings have been enhanced by El Nino that could threaten West Africa crops with hot and dry weather later this year. The main crop harvest is starting in parts of West Africa so the losses will become minor for now. Scattered to isolated showers are reported in the region now and the harvest is coming. Ideas of tight supplies remain based on more reports of reduced arrivals in Ivory Coast and Ghana continue,
Overnight News: Isolated showers are forecast for West Africa. Temperatures will be near normal. Malaysia and Indonesia should see scattered showers. Temperatures should average near normal. Brazil will get isolated showers and above normal temperatures. ICE certified stocks are lower today at 4.158 million bags.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed. Support is at 4190, 4150, and 4100 March, with resistance at 4340, 4370, and 4400 March. Trends in London are mixed. Support is at 3500, 3480, and 3440 March, with resistance at 3600, 3630, and 3660 March.