A see-saw week lies ahead as the World holds its breath waiting to see the outcome of escalating threats and deadlines between the US and Iran.
Read MoreFor most of last week grain markets showed a clear reluctance to rally in response to the unfolding drama in Iran.
Read MoreThe US/Israeli coalition chose this weekend to poke a rather big stick in the hornet’s nest which is Iran. The action started in the early hours of Saturday so markets first reactions will appear during Monday trading.
Read MoreThe last soggy week of January was a busy, active one with prices tracking sideways again and farmers taking old crop opportunities to tidy up.
Read MoreLast week finished slightly lower after a deluge of news that, in different times, might have sent us off in either direction. US attempts to bully Europe into submission over Greenland met with a strong response and the threat of increased tariffs disappeared almost as soon as it was raised.
Read MoreThe January USDA world stock update was not at all as expected. Increasing US corn output from the 25 harvest at this stage surprised a market looking for lower ending stocks not higher.
Read MoreMarkets were extremely quiet across the Christmas break, grinding along sideways and steadily eroding the deferred month carries as we go.
Read MoreWe tested season lows again last week, there is just enough farm selling pressure to keep a lid on things as businesses plan their cash requirements for the coming months. Nearby openings are limited but there is still trade to be done on malting barley in the south-east.
Read MoreWe are bumping along the bottom again after a quiet week dominated by the US thanks-giving shutdown.
Read MoreThe USDA got back to work last week just in time to publish their November world supply update on Friday.
Read MoreMarkets had their best week in ages, with May26 LIFFE posting a £4 gain on the previous weeks close - relatively modest perhaps but in a market so starved of positivity it felt important.
Read MoreThe latest tariff spat between the US and China saw a muted reaction from markets, with corn dipping slightly late Friday on the news.
Read MoreFollowing the Fed’s interest rate cut last week, US stocks rallied sharply as investors gained confidence for Q4 economic growth.
Read MoreThe US Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25% last week – the first rate change of 2025.
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The USDA September update came out late Friday, it was neutral/bearish in tone as they continue to shuffle their numbers on corn output – bulging wheat crops elsewhere in the world will offset any tightness in US wheat figures.
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As harvest nears completion in all areas some more reliable yield estimates are emerging. The south has done ok, but the further north you travel the situation deteriorates rapidly.
Read MoreThere’s no getting away from it, Tuesday USDA update was a bit of a bombshell. In raising predicted corn yields to an astonishing new record they added at a stroke 25 million tonnes to this years US corn crop.
Read MorePrices remain under pressure as favourable harvest reports continue to land across the northern hemisphere from east to west.
Read MoreHarvest pressure is visible in all wheat markets as favourable weather in US keeps progress ahead of average for this date.
Read MoreIn a quiet news week, markets were broadly sideways , UK prices are still being slightly propped up by recent weakness in GBP which has pushed about £5/mt into our levels, all welcome whilst it lasts.
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