MarketsFarm — As with last year, total wheat acres in the United States are projected to remain at all-time lows, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The department issued its prospective plantings estimates Tuesday. MarketsFarm director of markets and weather Bruce Burnett called USDA’s wheat and soybean estimates positive, while he said its […] Read more
U.S. projects wheat acres at record lows, increases for soy, corn
Grain stocks as of March 1 down on year
U.S. sees progress on China trade deal’s ag provisions
China makes first U.S. hard red wheat buy since 2017
Washington | Reuters — The U.S. and China have made progress in implementing the agriculture-related provisions of their Phase One trade deal that took effect on Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Trade Representative said on Tuesday. In a joint statement, they listed a number of steps taken that should help […] Read more
Grain price slump attracts bargain-hunting by importers
Hamburg | Reuters — The collapse in grain prices caused by concern about the global impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus has generated some bargain-buying by importing countries, traders said on Tuesday. But they said the extent was still limited and there were no signs importers were making especially large purchases to expand stocks. “We are […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Bids underpin Manitoba edible bean area
Province's soybean acres expected to fall
MarketsFarm — Solid prices should keep Manitoba farmers growing edible beans in 2020, although soybean area will likely drop, according to a provincial specialist. Disappointing harvest weather in 2019 hurt yields and cut into harvested area for edible beans in both Manitoba and across the border in the United States. As a result, prices heading […] Read more
Argentine farmers strike to protest export tax hike
Buenos Aires | Reuters — Argentine farmers began a four-day sales strike on Monday to protest the government’s hike of export taxes for soybeans and their byproducts, though shipments were not impacted in the major global food exporter. Three of the South American country’s four main rural associations announced the strike last week in frustration […] Read more
Fund traders still bearish on canola
MarketsFarm — Fund traders remained heavily on the short side in canola futures during the week ended Tuesday, according to the latest commitment of traders (CoT) report from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The net managed money short position in ICE Futures canola came in Tuesday at 62,709 contracts (1,100 long/73,809 short), which […] Read more
ICE weekly outlook: New lows in, but canola stabilizing
MarketsFarm — The ICE Futures canola market dropped to fresh contract lows on Tuesday but managed to find some support to the downside and may stabilize for the time being amid oversold price sentiment. The May canola contract, which had started 2020 trading in the $490 area, touched a low of $455 per tonne on […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans bounce on chance of Argentina export limits
Coronavirus fears remain anchor on commodities prices
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures on Wednesday extended a rebound from a sharp drop earlier this week as investors anticipated changes to Argentine export taxes that could reduce export competition from the major soy supplier. Corn and wheat futures eased on pressure from a firmer dollar, which creates headwinds for U.S. exports, and […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Coronavirus, other factors grip markets
MarketsFarm — As fears of a worldwide pandemic of the COVID-19 coronavirus increase, markets, including the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), are seen to have been taking a beating. “The perception is, it’s going to get worse, that trade is going to struggle,” said Steve Georgy, president of Allendale Inc. at Fort McHenry, Ill., analogizing […] Read more
Argentina ag ministry suspends registration of exports
Buenos Aires | Reuters — Argentina’s ministry of agriculture suspended on Wednesday the registration of agricultural exports until further notice, it said in a statement, a move that traders said likely foreshadowed a steep increase in grains export tariffs. “When they close the registration, it’s because something is coming,” said agricultural consultant Nestor Roulet, secretary […] Read more
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