Softs Report 04/03/2024

MORNING SOFTS COMMENTS
Jack Scoville

COTTON
General Comments: Cotton was lower yesterday, but trends are still trying to turn down on concerns about the planting intentions report released Friday morning and despite improving ideas of demand potential from China. Demand has been weaker so far this year. USDA said that 10.7 million acres might get planted this year, from 10.2 million last year. It is too early to plant in Texas but the heat and dry weather raises concerns about production potential later in the growing season and blackened soils might not permit much planting, anyway. The demand news has been reduced from previous levels in this market for the last several weeks. The US economic data has been positive, but the Chinese economic data has not been real positive and demand concerns are still around. However, Chinese consumer demand has held together well, leading some to think that demand for Cotton in world markets will increase over time.
Overnight News: The Delta will get showers and rains and near normal temperatures. The Southeast will see showers and near normal temperatures. Texas will have mostly dry conditions and near to below normal temperatures.
Chart Trends: Trends in Cotton are mixed. Support is at 90.50, 88.10, and 86.20 May, with resistance of 94.30, 96.20 and 97.70 May.

FCOJ
General Comments: FCOJ closed lower yesterday but remains in a trading range. Reports of tight supplies are around. Florida said that Oranges production will be low, but above a year ago. Futures still appear to have topped out even with no real downtrend showing yet, so a range trade has been seen. Prices had been moving lower on the increased production potential for Florida and the US and in Brazil but is now holding as current supplies remain very tight amid only incremental relief for supplies is forecast for the coming new crop season. 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 amid 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.
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 mixed. Support is at 358.00, 347.00, and 353.00 May, with resistance at 378.00, 389.00, and 391.00 May.

COFFEE
General Comments: both markets closed higher yesterday and both show up trends on the daily charts. The lack of Robusta Coffee in the market continues to support futures. Robusta offers from Vietnam remain difficult to find and the lack of offer of Robusta is a bullish force behind the London market action. Vietnamese producers are reported to have about a quarter of the crop left to sell or less and reports indicate that Brazil producers are reluctant sellers for now after selling a lot earlier in the year. The next Robusta harvest in Brazil will start next month. Brazil weather continues to improve for Coffee production and conditions are called good.
Overnight News: The ICO daily average price is now 200.21 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 up with objectives of 201.00 May. Support is at 195f.00, 191.00, and 188.00 May, and resistance is at 198.00, 201.00 and 204.00 May. Trends in London are up with objectives of 3740 May. Support is at 3600, 3480, and 3360 May, with resistance at 3680, 3710, and 3740 May.

SUGAR
General Comments: New York and London closed lower yesterday on ideas that the Brazil harvest can be strong for the next few weeks if not longer. Ideas of stronger demand have surfaced to provide support. Indian production estimates are creeping higher but are still reduced from recent years. There are worries about the Thai and Indian production. Offers from Brazil are still active but other origins. are still not offering in large amounts except for Ukraine. Ukraine offers have suffered lately with the war. Demand reports from Europe have been strong.
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 to up with objectives of 2360, 2390, and 2400 May. Support is at 2130, 2110, and 2030 May and resistance is at 2290, 2320, and 2360 May. Trends in London are mixed to up with objectives of 676.00 and 698.00 May. Support is at 645.00, 634.00, and 629.00 May, with resistance at 667.00, 670.00, and 680.00 May.

COCOA
General Comments: New York was lower yesterday with London higher as the relationship between the two markets got adjusted due to London being closed on Monday. Production concerns in West Africa as well as demand from nontraditional sources along with traditional buyers keep supporting futures. Production in West Africa could be reduced this year due to the extreme weather which included Harmattan conditions. The availability of Cocoa from West Africa remains very restricted and projections for another production deficit against demand for the coming year are increasing. Ideas of tight supplies remain based on more reports of reduced arrivals in Ivory Coast and Ghana continue. Ivory Coast arrivals are now 1,301 tons, down 26.7% from the previous year. Mid crop harvest is now underway and here are hopes for additional supplies for the market from the second harvest. Demand continues to be strong, especially from nontraditional buyers of Cocoa.
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.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed to up with no objectives. Support is at 9630, 9000, and 8410 May, with resistance at 10320, 10440, and 10560 May. Trends in London are up with no objectives. Support is at 7860, 7500, and 6960 May, with resistance at 8720, 8840, and 8960 May.

Questions? Ask Jack Scoville today at 312-264-4322