Strong Declines in Grain Prices Squeeze Farmers Worldwide - More Pain Ahead?
Investing.com | Feb 29, 2024 10:58
- World record corn harvests have led to a decline in prices.
- Meanwhile, soybean prices are approaching 2021 lows.
- Ukraine and Russia's pricing advantage gives them an edge in the global wheat market.
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Since the beginning of the year, key agricultural commodities like corn, soybean, wheat, and rapeseed have seen strong price declines.
The only exception has been rice, which has gained just under 5% and with prices maintaining an uptrend, driven in part by export restrictions from India.
This price decline in the global grain market is due to the increased supply and high inventory levels.
However, if grain prices continue to head lower, farmers may be left with no choice but to sell their stock to avoid further losses, making supplies spiral higher in the global market.
h2 Corn: Could Prices Breach Key Support Level?/h2Since June 2022, corn prices have been on a downward trend, triggered by the initial supply shock resulting from Russia's actions in Ukraine, both major players in the grains market.
In the early months of this year, prices have continued to drop, experiencing losses exceeding 8%.
The persistent decline in prices is influenced by record harvests, particularly in Brazil and the United States. The US saw a record harvest in 2023.
Additionally, the focus is now on corn exports from Ukraine and Russia. The lure of low prices is prompting Chinese importers to increase their deliveries, impacting global markets with further price declines.
While the decline has slowed at the $400 per bushel threshold, the high inventory levels in both the US and Europe, coupled with the anticipated 10 million-ton increase in global reserves this year, could continue to push prices lower.
If bears break through $400, the next target appears to be in the range of $360-$350.
h2 Soybean: Bears Eye 2021 Lows/h2Ukraine achieved record soybean exports by the end of last year.
The supply side is further supported by Brazil's rapidly growing harvests, reaching 38% this year compared to the previous year's 34%.
This combination is reinforced by elevated inventory levels in the US and reduced demand from China.
Since the start of the year, soy prices have already dropped by over 15%. Bears are eyeing the 2021 lows, slightly above $300 per ton, making it the most likely scenario for the coming weeks.
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Wheat prices have been in a downtrend and have lost over 8% since the beginning of the year.
The pressure for declines is primarily coming from the Russian and Ukrainian markets, offering extremely competitive raw material prices. In Black Sea ports, prices range from $220 to $170 per ton.
Current declines may lead to the test of a crucial support area in the $540 per bushel range. If this unfolds, it could pave the way for the next key support test at $500.
Ukrainian price competition has sparked widespread protests from European farmers.
They are currently finding it hard to compete given the stringent quality standards required in the European Union.
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