Key Takeaways:
Global and U.S. cotton demand has struggled since the post-COVID-19 pandemic surge, which has left cotton prices drifting lower in the U.S. The war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, along with their impact on global energy markets, could boost cotton demand by making synthetic alternatives more expensive, although the magnitude remains uncertain. Additionally, the conflict in Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war are boosting demand for cotton linters, which are used in munitions as nitrocellulose or “guncotton.” Unfortunately for cotton producers, guncotton demand is too small relative to the overall market to move the needle on cotton use. Overall, global cotton demand is set to expand in 2026/27...
Grains posted strong gains today, putting the bulls firmly in the driver’s seat. There was no shortage of fuel for the move, with three W’s driving the rally: weather, war and worry. Weather: Cooler temperatures are temporarily easing stress across the Northern Plains and Midwest, b...
Key Takeaways: Persistent labor shortages are increasing operational challenges and costs across U.S. agriculture, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as specialty crops, dairy, and meat processing. Immigrant workers, including H-2A employees, remain essential to the agricultural work...
Russian Grain Markets: 13–17 July 2026 New-crop trading dominated the Russian grain market during the week as old-crop business largely came to an end. Most transactions shifted to new-crop supplies, establishing new price ranges across the market. Bearish sentiment prevailed across most...
