Commodity Blog

Commodity Prices - Coffee

Wheat prices slipped to a monthly low after report that U.S. stockpiles will touch the record level in 22 years. U.S. wheat inventories will increase to 27.2 million metric tons by May 31st. Before today wheat slid on speculation about growing world supplies. May futures for wheat delivery declined $0.03 (0.6 percent) to $4.785 per bushel as of 10:14 on CBoT.

Coffee futures gained in New York after stockpiles dwindled to lowest level in seven years. Coffee inventories slid to 2.7 million bags (1.2 percent) in ICE-monitored warehouses on March 9th. Earlier coffee futures rose as global supplies waned. May futures for Arabica-coffee delivery went up $0.004 (0.3 percent) to $1.3315 per pound by 10:21 a.m. on ICE in New York.

Coffee may rise 21 percent in two months on lack of high quality supplies. The output in Columbia, the second largest grower in the world, fell to the lowest in 33 years because of adverse weather. Analysts predict that global demand will be about 131 million bags, while world production will be around 124 million bags in 2010. May futures for Arabica-coffee delivery slid $0.0515 (3.8 percent) to $1.319 per pound today in New York.

Corn and soybean prices advance with rising gasoline price, boosting the attractiveness of fuels produced from grain and oilseeds. Gasoline prices reached the highest level in five weeks, increasing demand for corn-based ethanol and biodiesel made from soybeans. May futures for corn delivery gained $0.11 (3 percent) to $3.8275 per bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. May futures for soybean delivery rose $0.145 (1.5 percent) to $9.69 per bushel.

Coffee slid New York as the stronger dollar curbed demand for commodities as an alternative investment. The greenback gained for the first time this week versus a basket of six major currencies. March futures for Arabica-coffee delivery slid $0.006 (0.5 percent) to $1.298 per pound by 9:51 on ICE Futures U.S. in New York. Coffee price may tumble to $1.20 if the dollar rally will continue, yet the coffee may rise with deficit of high quality coffee and in case of dollar decline. The coffee price increased previous year because adverse weather harmed harvests in Brazil and Colombia.

Sugar rose on speculation that farmers in India will not significantly increase planting of cane. A less-than-expected increase in planting area can lead to import of sugar by India, supporting prices. March futures for raw-sugar delivery rose 1.8 percent to $0.2707 per pound on ICE.

Cocoa futures dropped after the dollar gained, causing an equity decline and, as a result, the investment attractiveness of commodities to wane. Decline is also caused by concerns that jobless rate in the U.S. and rising debt in Europe will stall economic revival. Analysts say that “equities can very easily break cocoa”. May futures for cocoa delivery fell $55 (1.7 percent) to $3,125 per metric ton on ICE Futures U.S. in New York.

Coffee price tumbled to the four-month low. Analysts say that this drop caused by the dollar’s rebound, not fundamentals. The dollar’s advance may convince investors and funds to take money out of commodities. March futures for Arabica-coffee delivery waned $0.0145 (1.1 percent) to $1.3155 per pound today.

Sugar went down in New York to the two-week low as the dollar rebounded against the euro, curbing investment appeal of the commodity. The U.S. currency gained 1.2 percent versus the euro, putting commodities under pressure. Some analysts say that sugar will be traded in a range of $0.27–$0.29 in the next couple of months if it wouldn’t fall below $0.27 now. March futures for raw-sugar delivery slid $0.0062 (2.2 percent) to $0.28 per pound by 13:08 on ICE.

Wheat prices dropped to a lowest in three months on speculation that demand for grain from the U.S. will fall and global stockpiles will increase. Analysts say that global inventories will rise 19 percent in the year ending May 31st. Futures also fell as the strengthening dollar cut the attractiveness of U.S. exports. March delivery for wheat futures dropped $0.03 (0.6 percent) to $4.975 per bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Coffee futures tumbled to the two-week low as the dollar gained, curbing the demand for commodities as an alternative investment. Coffee has gained 21 percent in 2009 as the dollar slid and supplies of coffee beans from Brazil and Colombia declined. Analysts forecast that commodities may fall in the next few weeks as China is going to raise interest rates. March futures for Arabica-coffee delivery slid $0.017 (1.2 percent) to $1.392 per pound on ICE.

Coffee gained in New York on speculation that declining production in Colombia and Mexico will increase global demand. Coffee crop in Mexico may be harmed by cold weather. Analysts say that harvest in Columbia will be 9 million bags of coffee beans in the year through September, 26 percent down from June forecast. March futures for Arabica-coffee delivery rose $0.004 (0.3 percent) to $1.435 per pound as of 10:06 on ICE.

Orange-juice futures slid on speculation that warm weather in Florida, the second largest orange grower in the world, is lowering the risk that cold will harm citrus plants. As concern about frost damage recedes volatility is returning to the market. March futures for orange-juice delivery dropped $0.027 (2 percent) to $1.337 per pound by 12:31 on ICE Futures U.S. in New York.

Soybeans went up to the highest in two weeks with rising demand in China and U.S. Prices was also boosted by drought in Brazil and Argentina, decreasing soybeans exports from these countries in 2009. March futures for soybean delivery went up $0.0025 to $10.62 per bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Coffee futures touched a record in 15 months on outlook that yield will drop in Brazil and Vietnam, the largest producers in the world. Coffee prices may also rise with colder weather boosting demand. March futures for Arabica-coffee delivery increased $0.0135 (0.9 percent) to $1.4725 per pound on ICE.

Wheat slid as the stronger dollar forced down demand for exports from the U.S. As crop is being harvested in Australia, while some countries like Canada and France also have wheat for sale, it looks like supply just exceeds demand. March futures for wheat delivery slid $0.0675 (1.2 percent) to $5.3675 per bushel on CBT.

Hog futures gained for the first time in a week on speculation that a winter storm in the U.S. may prevent delivery of animals to slaughterhouses. A storm may cut shipments of hogs from producers, boosting prices on higher demand for supplies. February futures for hog settlement gained $0.00925 (1.4 percent) to $0.6605 per pound by 9:53 on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Sugar futures advanced as the dollar declined, spurring demand for some commodities as an alternative investment. Sugar also rose on forecast that harvest in Brazil, the largest producer, will be lower because of excess rain. March futures for raw-sugar delivery added $0.0016 (0.7 percent) to $0.2238 per pound at 10:26 on ICE.

Coffee futures rose for a second time in a week as the weakening dollar cut appeal of riskier assets such as commodities. The U.S. currency fell as much as 0.6 percent against the basket of six major currencies. March futures for Arabica-coffee delivery rose $0.019 (1.3 percent) to $1.458 per pound as of 11:11 on ICE.

Coffee prices touched the lowest level this month as the dollar rebounded, erasing the attractiveness of commodities as a hedge against inflation. The dollar rose for a second day versus a basket of six major currencies, rebounding from a 15-month low. The price advanced 21 percent this year, before today, because of low supplies from Brazil, Colombia and Central America. March futures for Arabica-coffee delivery slumped $0.005 (0.4 percent) to $1.353 per pound as of 10:16 on ICE.

Wheat advanced, erasing previous losses, as demand rises amongst hedge funds and other investors for the futures as an inflation hedge. Need for food ingredients don’t fall much during inflation periods, thus making wheat quite a safe investment. Speculation suggests that wheat will fare better than other investments as the dollar declines. December futures for wheat delivery advance $0.0475 (0.9 percent) to $5.5675 per bushel by 11:40 on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Coffee rose as speculation that world supply will wane and a dollar will drop makes investor buy commodities to preserve their purchasing power. The dollar dropper to a lowest in 15 months versus a basket of major currencies. Global stockpiles of coffee producers may reach 16 million bags, a record low, as a bad weather in Brazil and Vietnam had negative impact on crops. December futures for Arabica-coffee delivery rose $0.0115 (0.8 percent) to $1.4005 per pound on ICE Futures U.S. in New York.

Copper prices gained the first time in three sessions as the dollar slid boosting demand for the industrial metal. The group of 20 industrial nations agreed to maintain stimulus programs to pull the world out of its great slump. These economic stimulus measures help to support the market and show that G-20 are not concerned about the dollar and will let it to fall even further. December futures for copper delivery gained increased $0.015 (0.5 percent) to $2.9675 per pound on NYMEX.