2025-01-22 14:07:03Soybean futures traded around $10.65 per bushel, holding close to their highest since late July 2024, amid ongoing concerns about crops in South America, particularly Argentina. The agricultural meteorologist agency Maxar reported that while some rain is expected in Cordoba, Santa Fe, and Entre Rios to improve moisture in northern growing areas, dry conditions will persist in central and southern regions over the next two weeks. Meanwhile, AgRural estimated the Brazilian soybean crop for the 2024/25 season at 1.7% harvested by January 16th, the lowest level for this time of year since the 2020/21 cycle, due to dry weather in southern Brazil and excessive rain in the key producing state of Mato Grosso. However, anticipated rainfall in central and southern areas could improve soil moisture and enhance crop prospects. Additional support for prices came from a subdued dollar and the absence of immediate U.S. tariffs on major buyer China.
2025-01-13 05:02:03Malaysian palm oil futures soared around 2% to surpass MYR 4,460 per tonne, climbing for the second session after the latest industry data showed inventories fell for the third month to 1.71 million metric tons at the end of December. Meantime, production shrank 8.3% in Dec. from Nov. to 1.49 million tons. Prices recovered further from their lowest in over 11 weeks, buoyed by optimism that demand from key buyer China would strengthen ahead of the Lunar New Year later this month. Meanwhile, trade data in key buyer China indicated exports rose for the ninth month in December, while imports unexpectedly gained, adding to bolster sentiment. However, gains were capped by lower export estimates from cargo surveyors, which reported slumps of 21.4% to 26.8% for Jan. 1–10. Caution also built ahead of India’s Dec. import data, expected later this week. Additionally, some traders anticipated sluggish overall demand in Q1 of 2025 as rival edible oils maintained a price advantage over palm oil.