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 05/21/2024
COTTON
General Comments: Cotton was higher yesterday on ideas of stronger export demand and and ideas that the market was oversold. There are also some big problems with too much rain in the Delta and Southeast in recent days. Trends are turning mixed on the charts. The weekly crop progress report showed good planting progress and conditions are good in the southern US this week for growth. Some big storms are forecast for near the Gulf Coast, but rains farther inland should be more moderate. USDA increased production for the coming year and also increased demand and ending stocks. The report was bearish for futures. Demand remains a problem. The export sales report showed poor sales once again and demand is not likely to improve with the Dollar stronger. USDA made no changes to the domestic supply or demand sides of the balance sheets but did cut world ending stocks slightly. Trends are still down on the weekly charts. Demand has been weaker so far this year. 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, and demand for Cotton in world markets has started to increase.
Overnight News:
Chart Trends: Trends in Cotton are mixed. Support is at 73.70, 73.40, and 72.80 July, with resistance of 79.80, 80.70 and 81.40 July.
This Week Last Qeek Last Year Average
Cotton Planted 44 33 42 44
FCOJ
General Comments: FCOJ closed mostly higher, but July closed mostly lower, on speculative buying. USDA said that Florida production was estimated at 17,8 million boxes, down 5% from the last estimate but still 13% above the production of last year. The reduced production appears to be at the expense of the greening disease. 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: ICE said that 0 notices were posted for delivery against May futures and that total deliveries for the month are now 0 contracts.
Chart Trends: Trends in FCOJ are up with objectives of 421.00 July. Support is at 406.00, 388.00, and 382.00 July, with resistance at 453.00, 456.00, and 462.00 July.
COFFEE
General Comments: New York and London closed higher last week on late week speculative short covering and despite reports of increased offers of Coffee, mostly Robusta from Brazil and in part from Vietnam, into world cash markets. Reports of very good rains are heard from Vietnam after a very dry period there, so production prospects are thought to be stronger. There were indications that Brazil and Vietnam producers were now offering Coffee, 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. Exports from Brazil have remained strong. The next Robusta harvest in Brazil is continuing and better production conditions are reported in Vietnam. Roasters and other buyers are pulling back from the market in hopes of lower prices down the road. USDA said that Central American production will be stable this year from last year and at low levels overall.
Overnight News: The ICO daily average price is now 204.11 ct/lb. Brazil will get mostly scattered showers with near normal temperatures. Central America will get mostly dry conditions. Vietnam will see scattered showers. ICE NY said that 0 notices were posted for delivery today and that total deliveries for the month are now 1,289 contracts.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are down with objectives of 201.00 July. Support is at 190.00, 187.00, and 183.00 July, and resistance is at 208.00, 211.00 and 214.00 July. Trends in London are down with no objectives. Support is at 3370, 3340, and 3330 July, with resistance at 3770, 3810, and 3950 July.
SUGAR
General Comments: Both markets closed higher yesterday in correction trading. Trends remain down on the daily charts. There are still ideas that the Brazil harvest can be strong for the next few weeks if not longer and production data released a few weeks ago by CONAB indicated that the cane harvest could be less, but that Sugar production could be higher. Harvest weather is called good in center-south Brazil. Indian production estimates are creeping higher but are still reduced from recent years. There are worries about the Thai and Indian production, but data shows better than expected production from both countries. Offers from Brazil are still active. Ukraine is stopping offers to the EU as the country has already shipped its quota.
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 down with objectives of 1730 July. Support is at 1800, 1770, and 1740 July and resistance is at 1900, 1950, and 2000 July. Trends in London are down with objectives of 528.00 August. Support is at 526.00, 520.00, and 514.00 August, with resistance at 555.00, 566.00, and 571.00 August.
COCOA
Questions? Ask Jack Scoville today at 312-264-4322General Comments: Both markets were lower again yesterday. Trends are down on the daily charts, and the market acts as if there is more down side price action coming. 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. 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 traditional buyers of Cocoa. Main crop cocoa arrivals in Ivory Coast ports are now 1.437 million metric tons since the start of the season on Oct. 1, down 29% from the same period last season.
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 NY said that 0 contracts were tendered for delivery against May futures and that total deliveries for the month are now 905 contracts.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are down with no objectives Support is at 6420, 5910, and 5610 July, with resistance at 7950, 8390, and 9090 May. Trends in London are down with no objectives. Support is at 5230, 4790, and 4700 July, with resistance at 6730, 7000, and 7280 July.