CORN
- Corn futures are trending slightly higher at midday, supported by a fresh export sale announcement.
- Brazil’s second crop corn planting progress remains well behind last year, with just 20% planted compared to 38% at the same time in 2023. The optimal planting window for much of the country closes at the end of February.
- The USDA announced the sale of 365,000 tons of corn to Mexico this morning for the 2024/25 marketing year.
- Managed Money traders continue to hold an enormous net long position in CBOT corn futures and options. As of February 4, funds’ gross long positions reached a record 447,897 contracts.
SOYBEANS
- Soybeans are treading water at midday as improved weather forecasts for Brazil and Argentina temper market momentum.
- Brazil’s soybean harvest reached 15% completion late last week, according to AgRural — up 6% from the previous week but still trailing last year’s 23% pace.
- A drier outlook for northern Brazil over the next two weeks should accelerate both soybean harvest and second crop corn planting, which faced delays earlier this month.
- Argentina’s forecast now includes better rain chances over the next 10 days. While recent dryness may have already caused some irreversible crop stress, these rains will provide much-needed relief.
WHEAT
- Wheat futures are lower at midday despite stronger corn prices to start the week.
- Paris milling wheat futures are off to a strong start this week, driven by concerns over slowing wheat exports from the Black Sea region.
- The Trump administration is expected to make a renewed push for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine this week. Wheat futures initially surged in 2022 when the conflict began but have spent much of 2024 hovering near pre-war price levels.