Soybean and palm oil prices have continued to rise, despite lower oil prices, as traders anticipate increased imports by China and India. In the context of the US Fed’s interest rate increase to 5-5.25% and an expected recession in the US economy, traders have turned to agricultural assets as a more attractive investment. This article … Read more
The Dominance of Ukrainian Oilseeds in EU Market In the 2022/23 marketing year, Ukraine emerged as the leading supplier of sunflower seeds, rapeseed, sunflower meal, sunflower, and soybean oil to the European Union. This significant import increase, up 68% from the previous season to 9.8 million tons, reshaped the EU’s import landscape for oilseeds. The … Read more
Low Inventories Support Copper Prices Copper prices are expected to experience a moderate recovery in the coming months, primarily driven by low inventories. However, the upward trend may be limited due to weak physical demand in China and concerns over a potential global recession, according to a Reuters poll. Copper prices have been losing momentum … Read more
The international trade of agricultural commodities involves complex transactions, with buyers and sellers negotiating various aspects, including payment terms and quality inspections. One critical aspect to consider is the timing and location of payments and inspections for agri-commodities. This article discusses the main reason why agri-commodity payments should be made at the port of loading … Read more
Fed’s Interest Rate Hike Plans Impact Commodity Markets The US Federal Reserve’s plan to raise interest rates by 25 basis points above 5% to curb inflation is causing a ripple effect in stock and commodity markets, decreasing speculative demand and prices for oil and other commodities like grains and oilseeds. The move to increase interest … Read more
The Importance of International Trade for US Pork Producers In honor of World Trade Month, it is essential to understand the significance of international trade for US pork producers and the US economy. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) emphasizes that US pork farmers have built a global reputation for providing high-quality, safe, and affordable … Read more
Iraq’s April Crude Production Decline In April, Iraq experienced a significant 6% decline in crude production, with production dropping to 3.938 million barrels per day (bpd) from 4.2 million bpd in March. This decrease in production can be attributed to Turkey’s decision to halt Iraq’s 450,000 bpd of northern exports following an arbitration ruling by … Read more
EU Rapeseed Production Forecast Revised Upwards Strategie Grains experts have revised their EU rapeseed production forecast for 2023, increasing it from 19.5 to 20 million tonnes compared to April estimates. This boost in production is attributed to favorable weather conditions across most of Europe, which surpasses the previous year’s output of 19.4 million tonnes. The … Read more
In April 2023, grain exports from Ukraine experienced a decline compared to March, from 5.34 million tons to 3.62 million tons. Although this still surpasses the 923,000 tons shipped in April 2022, when all Black Sea ports were blocked due to Russian aggression, the challenges posed by the blockage of the grain corridor and EU … Read more
High Planting Rates in the US As of April 23, the US had planted 14% of its planned corn area, compared to 7% last year and an average of 11% over the past five years, according to NASS USDA. Dry and warm weather is expected in the next 7-10 days, which will likely accelerate the … Read more