Agriculture

Soybean futures jumped to a two-month peak Wednesday as markets bet on easing U.S.-China trade tensions after President Trump hinted at lowering tariffs and dismissed rumors of firing Fed Chair Powell. The rally contrasted with declines in corn and wheat, which faced pressure from ideal U.S. planting conditions and sluggish global demand. Market Movers Trade War […]

Soybean futures extended their rally Wednesday, climbing 0.7% to $10.53¼/bushel—near Monday’s two-month high—as traders bet on easing U.S.-China trade tensions after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled potential negotiations. Corn and wheat also edged up, though gains were tempered by favorable U.S. planting weather and EU crop forecasts. Market Drivers Behind the Moves What’s Next? Why This […]

In Brazil’s Bahia state, farmer Moises Schmidt is planting the seeds of an agricultural revolution—a 10,000-hectare (24,700-acre) cocoa megafarm that could help redefine global chocolate production. His project, part of a wave of industrial-scale cocoa ventures in Brazil, aims to challenge West Africa’s dominance by applying soybean-style farming methods to a crop traditionally grown in […]

ADM is permanently closing its soybean processing plant in Kershaw, South Carolina, marking the first U.S. crush facility shutdown amid a perfect storm of trade headwinds, biofuel policy paralysis, and corporate restructuring. The move comes as the global grain trader slashes 500M–500M–700M in costs following a 2023 accounting scandal that cratered its stock. Why Kershaw? Bigger Picture What’s Next? […]

Chicago soybean and wheat futures retreated Monday as President Trump’s social media broadside against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell rattled commodity markets, reigniting concerns about central bank independence and economic stability. The political turmoil offset supportive fundamentals for grains, including strong corn demand and weather-driven planting delays. Market Reaction Trump vs. Powell: The Flashpoint Underlying Market […]

Brazil’s state-run Petrobras has taken a major step toward reviving two shuttered fertilizer plants, approving a tender process to select a new operator—but the move remains stalled by an ongoing legal battle with current leaseholder Unigel. The plants, located in Bahia and Sergipe states, are central to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s strategy to slash […]

U.S. agricultural exporters are off to a sluggish start for the 2025-26 season, with soybean, wheat, and cotton sales hovering near decade lows, while corn and soybean oil buck the trend. The mixed performance reflects intensifying global competition, geopolitical tensions, and shifting trade patterns—setting the stage for a high-stakes battle to retain market share. By the […]

The Trump administration’s freeze on federal grants has upended decades of agricultural research at America’s top universities, shuttering labs, halting climate resilience studies, and threatening the U.S.’s position as a global leader in farming innovation. At institutions like UC Davis—a cornerstone of agricultural science since 1906—projects on poultry genetics, drought-resistant crops, and small-farm insurance have collapsed […]

European wheat prices hit fresh contract lows Wednesday after Algeria’s state buyer OAIC snubbed French wheat in a major tender, compounding export woes for what was once France’s top market. A rallying euro added pressure, eroding the competitiveness of EU grain. Algeria’s Tender Shifts to Black Sea Dominance Algeria purchased 570,000–600,000 metric tons of milling wheat, with traders confirming shipments likely from […]

Chicago soybean futures gained ground Wednesday, supported by a weakening U.S. dollar and reports that China might reopen trade negotiations with the U.S. However, market optimism was tempered by record South American harvests and China’s ongoing tariffs on American beans, which have crushed export demand. The most-active CBOT soybean contract Sv1 rose 2.75 cents to 10.38¾perbushel∗∗,while∗∗Julycorn∗Cv1∗added2.25centsto10.38¾perbushel∗∗,while∗∗Julycorn∗Cv1∗added2.25centsto4.91¾ and July wheat Wv1 gained 5 cents […]