Commodity Blog

Commodity Prices - Soybean

Sugar futures dropped to a lowest in seven months in New York as production rose in Brazil and India, the largest producers in the world. India’s production will reach 16.8 million metric tons in the year ending September 30th, while output in Brazil more than doubled in the second half of February from a year earlier. Traders are holding their purchases in hopes for further price decline. May futures for sugar delivery fell $0.0063 (3.1 percent) to $0.1969 per pound on ICE Futures U.S.

Soybeans advanced to a highest in a week as China bought supplies from the U.S. exporters and after the report that stockpiles will be smaller than predicted. China bought 110,000 metric tons for delivery in the year beginning September 1st, signaling that appeal of the U.S. supplies persist despite the record harvest in South America. Inventories will be 190 million bushels on August 31st, down from 210 million forecasted in February. May futures for soybean delivery gained $0.105 (1.1 percent) to $9.58 per bushel on CBoT.

Wheat futures slid to a monthly low on speculation that inventories in the U.S., the greatest exporter in the world, will increase. Stockpiles will reach as much as 1.001 billion bushels on May 31st, up from a February forecast of 981 million bushels, while consumption for food, livestock feed and exports will be 1 percent less than predicted in the previous month. May futures for wheat delivery declined $0.08 (1.6 percent) to $4.815 per bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Corn, soybeans and sugar fell today as a stronger dollar curbed demand for commodities as an alternative investment. The dollar rose as much as 0.3 percent versus a basket of six major currencies. May futures for corn delivery slid $0.03 (0.8 percent) to $3.8325 per bushel by 12:02 on the Chicago Board of Trade. May futures for soybean delivery declined $0.15 (1.6 percent) to $9.48 per bushel on CBoT. May futures for raw-sugar delivery fell $0.007 (2.9 percent) to $0.237 per pound on ICE.

Wheat prices may decline 14 percent with start of new harvests in the next few months. World wheat production was predicted to reach 677.4 million metric tons. Russia, the third biggest grower in the world, plans to rise grain export by 32 percent in the next five years, putting even more strain on wheat prices. Analysts forecast that wheat may fall to $150 per ton.

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.

White sugar gained in London on signs that a global production deficit may persist, encouraging importers to increase inventories. Production of sugar cane in Brazil and India, the largest growers in the world, was hampered by adverse weather. Analysts forecast that global demand will exceed worldwide output by 9.4 million metric tons in the 2009–10 season. May delivery for white sugar rose $7.60 (1.1 percent) to $714.50 per metric ton on the Liffe exchange.

Wheat, soybeans and corn dropped in Chicago after the dollar gained, making purchases of U.S. crops unprofitable for traders, who are using other currencies. May delivery for wheat lost 1.3 percent to $4.9325 per bushel on CBoT by 12:34. Argentina, the third biggest soybean exporter in the world, may produce more soybeans than previously predicted record 52 million tons with the aid of rains. May delivery for soybeans declined 0.7 percent to $9.575 per bushel. Corn planting is expected to increase from 86.5 million acres last year to 89 million this year. May delivery for corn fell 0.7 percent to $3.6625 per bushel.

Corn and soybeans gained today as farmers slowed sales after a price drop earlier this year. Drop in sales have led to decline of supplies for export and for producing fuel, animal feed and food. May futures for corn delivery added $0.0575 (1.5 percent) to $3.79 per bushel by 10:44 on the Chicago Board of Trade. March futures for soybean delivery rose $0.18 (1.9 percent) to $9.63 per bushel.

Cocoa rose to a highest level in 21 years in London on speculation that demand will be boosted by a rebounding global economic. Restocking is taking place as consumer confidence returns and business conditions improve. Cocoa consumption jumped 0.6 percent in Europe in the fourth quarter. March delivery for cocoa rose 1 percent to $3,770 per metric ton on Liffe today.

Copper prices tumbled to the four-week low as the rising dollar cut buying of commodities as an inflation hedge and a decline in equity markets curbed demand outlook. Yet some analysts think that the outlook for copper over the longer term is quite positive as demand rises in Asia, including China. March futures for copper delivery dropped $0.06 (1.8 percent) to $3.295 per pound on NYMEX.

Soybeans rose on expectations that demand from China will rebound after prices from the U.S. fell 9.4 percent this month. China’s demand for soybeans grown in the U.S. to produce cooking oil and livestock feed rose as drought harmed crops in South America last year. March futures for soybean delivery gained $0.04 (0.4 percent) to $9.54 per bushel on CBoT.

Analysts predict that soybeans imports in China may remain high in March as ”lower costs boost crushing margins”. The margin rose to $46 per metric ton by January 13th. Imports of soybeans in China are expected to reach 4.2 million tons in January causing concern about oversupply.

Some analysts forecast shortages for crude oil as supply is unable to catch up rebounding demand. Worldwide oil consumption will return to pre-crisis level at the third quarter of 2010, while projects for new oil sources are “still lagging as a result of the credit crunch”. Crude oil futures reached $78 per barrel level today in New York.

Demand for steel may drop with lending cuts in China, the biggest consumer in the world. Steel production in China increased 13 percent to 565 million tons in 2009 as demand from builders, home-appliance manufacturers and automakers was boosted by China’s $586 billion stimulus spending. China’s steel output may rise 5 to 10 percent exceeding 600 million metric tons in 2010.

Copper gained in New York and London after imports of the industrial metal into China rose for a second month and the dollar fell. Shipments of copper into China increased to 369,400 tons in December. March futures for copper delivery gained $0.0405 (1.2 percent) to $3.441 per pound on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Delivery for copper in three months rose $106.50 (1.4 percent) to $7,567.50 a ton ($3.43 a pound) on LME.

Corn futures slid and soybeans declined on speculation that demand for supplies from the U.S. will decline as rains will increase crop yields in Argentina and Brazil. Rainfall will aid crops in Brazil in the next 10 days and will increase soil moisture for developing corn and soybeans in the next two days in Argentina. March futures for corn delivery declined $0.005 to $4.225 per bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. March futures for soybean delivery slid $0.115 (1.1 percent) to $10.105 per bushel in Chicago.

Sugar tumbled to the lowest in nine weeks after speculators increased sales as prices last week reached the record in almost 29 years. Hedge-fund managers and other speculators boosted net-long positions by 25 percent in the last six weeks. March futures for raw-sugar delivery dropped $0.0078 (2.8 percent) to $0.2675 per pound on ICE.

Soybeans tumbled to the lowest in two weeks on outlook that demand for supplies from the U.S will wane as farmers in South America may harvest record crops next month. Argentina and Brazil, the two greatest growers after the U.S., may harvest a record 116 million tons. Rainfall next week will boost soybean filling and pod development in both countries. Analysts say that speculation about “demand shifting away from U.S. supplies, especially from China” caused “some selling”. January futures for soybean delivery slid $0.045 (0.4 percent) to $10.565 per bushel by 10:25 on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Wheat reached the highest level in a month after report that fewer acres were planted with winter varieties in the U.S. because of unusually wet weather. Some farmers were prevented from sowing wheat by muddy fields delaying corn and soybean harvests. The price also aided by speculators buying contracts with expectation on rising demand for raw materials. March futures for wheat delivery increased $0.1425 (2.6 percent) to $5.6725 per bushel on CBT.

Refined copper imports in China, the greatest buyer in the world, rebounded in November with rising domestic prices and increasing demand. China may increase imports to 200,000 tons per month in the first quarter of 2010 as high domestic prices made purchases from overseas sellers cheaper. Delivery for copper in three months on LME dropped 0.6 percent to $6,895 per ton by 15:21 in Shanghai.

Corn slid and soybeans went down as the dollar gained, curbing the attractiveness of commodities as an alternative investment. Analysts says that the strong dollar “is encouraging some speculators to reduce long positions”. March futures for corn delivery went down $0.055 (1.4 percent) to $3.945 per bushel as of 10:32 on CBT. March futures for soybean delivery slid $0.1075 (1.1 percent) to $9.9775 per bushel in Chicago.

Crude oil rose as the dollar dropped and on speculation about global economic restoration. A rising dollar cut demand for commodities as an alternative investment. February delivery for crude oil gained $0.62 (0.8 percent) to $74.34 per barrel by 13:13 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.