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 02/07/2024
DJ U.S. December Coffee, Cocoa Imports-February 7
In kilograms from the U.S. Commerce Department, converted to pounds
by Dow Jones.
—-Dec 2023—- —-Nov 2023—-
-coffee- kilograms pounds kilograms pounds
coffee, unroasted 76,661,007 169,037,520 85,934,151 189,484,803
coffee, roasted 8,899,873 19,624,220 9,590,418 21,146,872
coffee, soluble
instant 4,232,883 9,333,507 4,396,944 9,695,262
-Cocoa-
cocoa beans 7,268,655 16,027,384 5,597,410 12,342,289
sweetened bars/block
10 lbs or over 2,259,579 4,982,372 2,469,174 5,444,529
for retail candy 0 0 0 0
cocoa butter 9,088,456 20,040,045 5,654,571 12,468,329
cocoa paste,
not defatted 6,630,557 14,620,378 5,188,421 11,440,468
cocoa paste
defatted 5,915,845 13,044,438 4,770,550 10,519,063
cocoa powder,
unsweetened 8,931,848 19,694,725 7,780,468 17,155,932
cocoa powder,
sweetened 18,556 40,916 165,078 363,997
confectioners
coating 3,651,784 8,052,184 4,486,935 9,893,692
candy containing
chocolate 13,298,772 29,323,792 13,573,964 29,930,591
COTTON
General Comments: Cotton closed higher yesterday on speculator buying tied to another week of strong and signs of a robust US economy. No important changes are expected in the WASDE reports that will be released later this week. The demand news has been solid in this market for the last several weeks. The charts indicate that trends turned up in the second half of last week. Reports indicate that the US cash market has been moderately active with some producer selling and mill fixing noted. The US economic data has been positive, but the Chinese economic data has not been real positive and demand concerns are still around. 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 but recent demand from China is starting to put those concerns on the back burner.
Overnight News: The Delta will get mostly dry weather and near normal temperatures. The Southeast will see mostly dry conditions and below normal temperatures. Texas will have mostly dry conditions and near to above normal temperatures. The USDA average price is now 84.00 ct/lb. ICE daily certified stocks are now 999 bales, from 999 bales yesterday.
Chart Trends: Trends in Cotton are up with objectives of 9320 March. Support is at 87.00, 86.00, and 84.90 March, with resistance of 88.10, 88.90 and 89.50 March.
DJ U.S. Dec Cotton Exports-Feb 7
In kilograms and in running 480-pound bales. Source. U.S. Department
Commerce.
(*)NOTE: Year ago figures reflect data reported at that time.
Data includes Exports and Re-Exports.
——- In Kilograms ——-
Dec 23 Nov 23 Oct 23 Dec 22
Upland, under 1 inch 6,170,689 3,878,585 1,388,795 2,638,733
1 to 1 1/8 inch 76,437,872 43,230,233 29,233,764 47,190,157
upland 1 1/8 and over 8,094,369 6,644,445 1,469,295 4,102,525
Amer pima, over 1 1/8 inc 150,589,830 67,781,979 52,907,128 94,548,196
All cotton 241,292,760 121,535,242 84,998,982 148,479,611
——- In Running 480-Pound Bales ——-
Dec 23 Nov 23 Oct 23 Dec 22
Upland, under 1 inch 28,342 17,814 6,379 12,120
1 to 1 1/8 inch 351,076 198,555 134,270 216,743
upland 1 1/8 and over 37,177 30,518 6,748 18,843
Amer pima, over 1 1/8 inc 691,653 311,320 243,000 434,256
All cotton 1,108,249 558,207 390,397 681,961
FCOJ
General Comments: FCOJ closed higher yesterday as the big rally came back to life. The moves implies that the long liquidation that had forced prices lower had come to a dramatic end. Prices had been moving lower on the increased production potential for Florida and the US and also in Brazil until a sharp rally came to the market. There are no weather concerns to speak of for Florida or for Brazil right now. The weather has improved in Brazil with some moderation in temperatures and increased rainfall. Reports of short supplies in Florida and Brazil are around but will start to disappear as the weather improves and the new crop gets harvested. 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 or dry conditions. Temperatures will average near normal. Brazil should get scattered showers and above normal temperatures.
Chart Trends: Trends in FCOJ are up with no objectives. Support is at 370.00, 359.00, and 354.00 March, with resistance at 392.00, 403.00, and 409.00 March.
COFFEE
General Comments: New York closed lower and London closed higher as forecasts for good growing conditions through the month of February continue. The Dollar was a little lower yesterday but remains in an uptrend. Robusta offers remain difficult to find and the lack of offer of Robusta remains the main bullish force behind the market action, but it looks like Vietnamese producers could be finally letting some Coffee filter into the market. Brazil weather continues to improve for Coffee production but is still not perfect. Rains continued to fall in parts of Brazil Coffee areas and Vietnamese and Brazilian producers remain reluctant sellers. Brazil weather is improving for the best crop production. Reports indicate that logistical problems at ports remain to delay shipments from Brazil.
Overnight News: ICE certified stocks are higher today at 0.288 million bags. The ICO daily average price is now 180.92 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. Support is at 185.00, 182.00, and 179.00 March, and resistance is at 192.00, 185.00 and 197.00 March. Trends in London are mixed. Support is at 3060, 2990, and 2920 March, with resistance at 3250, 3290, and 3320 March.
SUGAR
General Comments: New York closed mixed and London closed higher and the trends remain sideways on the daily charts. The US Dollar was a little lower yesterday but remains in an uptrend. Reports indicate that logistical problems continue to plague Sugar shipments from Brazil. The market continues to see stressful conditions in Asian production areas. There are worries about the Thai and Indian production 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. Brazil ports are very congested with shipments of Corn and Soybeans, 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 2300, 2260, and 2190 March and resistance is at 2400, 2420, and 2460 March. Trends in London are mixed. Support is at 636.00, 632.00, and 612.00 March, with resistance at 662.00, 675.00, and 680.00 March.
COCOA
Questions? Ask Jack Scoville today at 312-264-4322General Comments: Both markets were sharply higher again yesterday and price trends remain up on the daily and weekly charts. Futures have rallied sharply for the past month. The availability of Cocoa from West Africa remains restricted and projections for another production deficit against demand for the coming year are increasing. The harvest seems to be coming and demand could be a problem with the current very high prices. Traders are worried about another short production year and these feelings have been enhanced by El Nino that is threatening West Africa crops with hot and dry weather. 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 4.183 million bags.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are up with no objectives. Support is at 5130, 5030, and 4830 March, with resistance at 5290, 5350, and 5410 March. Trends in London are up with no objectives. Support is at 4000, 3900, and 3800 March, with resistance at 4300, 4360, and 4420 March.