Modest volumes were traded today, except HRW and Lean Hogs where there was some added play. For the week overall, the bears were in charge with weather and Ukraine the overriding factors. Neither of those influences are definitive. In fact, Russia lowered its export tax on wheat to facilitate sluggish movement. For the week, prices are lower, net long positions in corn increased by 29 percent, but fell 8.5 percent for soybeans.
Ukraine’s wheat crop is down 40 percent this year and McKinsey predicts problems will continue with overall grain production down 35-45 percent from its peak. Then they cited fertilizer shortages to conclude that grain prices will remain high into 2023. This is supported by futures where:
Deferred corn...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
