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U.S. sells record amount of corn to China as tensions rise

Chicago | Reuters – Chinese buyers booked their single biggest-ever purchase of U.S. corn, extending their flurry of large U.S. purchases even as tensions between Washington and Beijing rise. The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Thursday that private exporters sold 1.937 million tonnes of corn to China for delivery in the 2020/21 marketing year. That topped the […] Read more

Piglets look out from a fence at Cabanas Argentinas del Sol pig farm in Marcos Paz, southwest of Buenos Aires in December 2008.  Photo: Reuters/Enrique Marcarian

Argentina nears China hog deal it hopes could turbocharge local pork production

Buenos Aires | Beijing | Reuters – Argentina is nearing an initial agreement with China that could pave for the way for potential investments by the Asian giant in local pork production for export, Argentina’s undersecretary of trade and investment promotion told Reuters. That could eventually lead to Chinese-backed hog farms in the South American […] Read more


Packages of unidentified seeds which appear to have been mailed from China to U.S. postal addresses are seen at the Washington State Department of Agriculture in Olympia, Washington July 24, 2020.  Photo: Washington State Department of Agriculture/Handout via Reuters

U.S. warns against planting unsolicited seeds from China

Chicago | Reuters – The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday warned residents against planting unsolicited packages of seeds arriving from China because they could harm the environment. At least eight states, from Washington to Ohio, have also told residents in recent days not to put the seeds in the ground, after they arrived apparently […] Read more

CBOT November 2020 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans ease on China tensions

Wheat gains on declining U.S. dollar, export hopes; corn mostly flat

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybeans softened on Friday as optimism over Chinese buying in the United States was tempered by political tensions between the two economic heavyweights. Corn ended lower on strong crop conditions, while wheat rose on hopes of new U.S. export sales with the dollar remaining low. The Chicago Board of Trade’s […] Read more


CBOT November 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: China tensions cap soybeans’ gains

Corn prices up slightly on trade optimism; wheat falls back slightly

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures climbed on Thursday, boosted by demand from China, although escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington capped gains. Corn edged higher as optimism over possible continued buying from China offset strong crop conditions. Wheat scaled back on technical selling. The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board Of Trade […] Read more

CME August 2020 live cattle with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. livestock: Live cattle continue lower on unclear outlook

'Hard hill to climb' expected for lean hogs

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures closed lower on Wednesday as uncertainty about demand lingers, while dry conditions in the U.S. West have analysts worried about an influx of market-ready cattle in the coming weeks. “You look at pasture range and it is deteriorating very quickly,” said Ted Seifried, chief ag market strategist […] Read more



CBOT August 2020 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans gain ground on Chinese buying

Wheat rebounds after technical correction

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn and soybeans futures climbed on Wednesday as news of Chinese purchases offset strong yield prospects after recent rain across the U.S. Midwest offered relief to pollinating corn crops. Both commodities gained even after the United States ordered China to close a consulate in Houston, escalating diplomatic tensions and putting […] Read more


CBOT August 2020 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans trim back on improved crop conditions

Wheat gains on weaker U.S. currency

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago soybean futures fell on Tuesday, despite renewed exports to China, after the U.S. Agriculture Department issued better-than-expected weekly crop ratings. Corn also eased on better-than-expected crop conditions and favourable U.S. weather as traders eyed record yield potential this fall. The Chicago Board of Trade’s most active soybean contract fell 6-1/2 […] Read more

CBOT September 2020 corn with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Corn weakens on rain across Midwest

Soybeans gain for fifth session, wheat futures tumble

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago corn futures dropped on Monday, as rainfall strengthened crop conditions during a crucial stage in development. Soybean futures gained for a fifth consecutive session on renewed Chinese demand and support from the soybean oil market. Wheat, meanwhile, sank as harvest across the U.S. Great Plains continued and a strengthening dollar […] Read more