Weekly Ag Markets Update – 09/03/2024

Wheat: Wheat was higher in all three markets last week on stable overseas prices reported in Russia and Europe and the wrap up of the Wheat harvest and reports of reduced cash movement here in the US.  Ideas of good crops in the US and Canada went against reports of dry weather in eastern Europe and Russia and too wet weather in France and Germany along with Spring Wheat areas of Russia are still heard and the weather there affecting world production estimates.  There were more reports of dry conditions coming this week to Russian growing areas although Spring Wheat areas have seen too much rain.  Eastern Europe is also hot and dry.  Western Europe has seen too much rain.

Weekly Chicago Soft Red Winter Wheat Futures

Weekly Chicago Hard Red Winter Wheat Futures

Weekly Minneapolis Hard Red Spring Wheat Futures

 

Corn:  Corn and Oats closed higher last week on speculative buying and some commercial buying as cooler and dry weather was reported in just about all of the Midwest and is forecast for the week.  Producer selling of old crop supplies wrapped up last week before September First Notice Day last Friday.  Ideas of very strong yields are still heard and harvest is just a few weeks away.  Increased US demand comes from the fact that Corn prices are already the cheapest in the world.  Current forecasts call for cooler and drier weather for the Midwest for the next week or longer.

Weekly Corn Futures

 Weekly Oats Futures

 

Soybeans and Soybean Meal:  Soybeans and the products were higher last week on speculative buying.  Stronger demand news and First Notice Day last Friday were reasons to trade the market.  There is also concern about the hot and dry weather seen in the Midwest early last week that could hurt pod fill.  The weather is turning cooler now but it should remain dry.  Reports indicate that China is buying a lot in the US but overall export demand is begind average.  Domestic demand has been strong in the US.

Weekly Chicago Soybeans Futures

Weekly Chicago Soybean Meal Futures

 

Rice:  Rice closed little changed last week after failing to sustain a move higher and what appeared to be speculator selling in September before First Notice Day.  The back months were lower as the trade felt the ongoing harvest.  The US weather has been an issue much of the growing season with too much rain early in the year.  Some areas are now too hot and dry, especially in Texas, and Texas yields are down as a result as the harvest moves forward.  However, planted area has increased from last year

Weekly Chicago Rice Futures

 

Palm Oil and Vegetable Oils:  Palm Oil was higher last week on hopes of improving demand as Indonesia intends to increase its use of Palm Oil in its biofuels blends and increase biofuels to 40% of consumption.  It could become 50% if the new president gets his way.  Production reports indicate that the increase in production is less than expected at this time.  Reports indicate that production is rising as well.  Export demand has been very strong in recent private reports but has been weaker in recent days.  There is talk of increased supplies available to the market, and the trends are down on the daily charts.  Canola was higher and trends remain up on ideas of reduced supplies even with the harvest starting soon.  The weather has been hot and dry in Canada and it looks like Canola production has been impacted.  The weather has called for dry conditions in the Prairies and yields are expected to be the same or less.

Weekly Malaysian Palm Oil Futures

Weekly Chicago Soybean Oil Futures

Weekly Canola Futures

 

Cotton:  Cotton was a little lower in range trading last week as the overall situation is bullish with reduced production potential again this year and slightly improving demand.  There are still ideas of weaker demand potential against an outlook for improved US production in the coming year.  Speculators see no reason to buy except to cover short positions as there have been demand concerns about Bangladesh and China and ideas are that production is strong enough.   The Delta should have the best looking crops right now, but crops in other areas are more suspect.  Texas and the Southeast have seen some extreme heat so far this year, and Texas has also seen dry conditions at times during the growing season.  Moderate temperatures are likely for the Delta and Southeast this week after a very hot week last week.  Demand has been weaker so far this year but there are hopes for improved demand with the lower prices.

Weekly US Cotton Futures

 

Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice and Citrus:  FCOJ closed a little lower last week on apparent speculative selling ahead of Frist Notice Day and as ideas of reduced production continue against reports of stronger demand as forecasts call for no tropical activity in the near future in the Atlantic.  Nothing appeared threatening in the forecasts for this week as the current tropical system should stay in the ocean and there is nothing in the ocean to suggest that a storm is on its way to Florida.  A very active year is forecast and there have been some reports of flooding in the state even with no huge storms.  The market remains well supported in the longer term based on forecasts for tight supplies and very hot weather in Florida.  The reduced production also 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.

Weekly FCOJ Futures

 

Coffee:  New York and London closed higher last week with offers from Vietnam and Indonesia still hard to find but offers from Brazil are in the market.  Indonesian offers are now less as producers wait for higher prices before selling.  Damage was done to crops earlier in the growing season in Vietnam and lower production is now expected for the next crop.  There were also reports of poor Robusta yields in Brazil during the harvest due to small bean sizes but offers have been strong so far this season.  Arabica yields in Brazil and Colombia are reported to be less this year due to extreme weather in both countries.

Weekly New York Arabica Coffee Futures

Weekly London Robusta Coffee Futures

 

Sugar:  New York and London closed higher last week on what appeared to be speculative and commercial buying.  Unica reported on Wednesday that sugar production in the Cener-South of Brazil totaled 3.11 million metric tons, down 10.2% from last year.  Chinese demand in particular is in focus amid the economic problems seen there.  Harvest progress in Brazil and improved growing conditions in India and Thailand are the important fundamentals and growing conditions are dry in Brazil.  Indian and Thai monsoon rains have been very beneficial and mills are expecting strong crops of cane.  They are pushing the governments to allow exports but so far the governments have not agreed.  Production estimates were raised in the northern hemisphere.  Harvest yields of Sugarcane in Brazil are strong but should start falling but not enough to impact prices much.  The ISO forecast there would be a global sugar deficit of 3.58 million metric tons for the coming marketing year.

Weekly New York World Raw Sugar Futures

Weekly London White Sugar Futures

 

Cocoa:  New York closed higher and London closed lower last week as tight supply conditions continue.  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 stronger this year on currently dry weather in Ivory Coast.  Ghana has had hot and dry conditions and there are reports that pods are being aborted.  The availability of Cocoa from West Africa remains very restricted, but surplus production against demand is expected in the next crop year.

Weekly New York Cocoa Futures

Weekly London Cocoa Futures

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