Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures shot to their highest prices in more than six weeks on Monday on increased optimism over trade with China, the world’s biggest pork consumer. China agreed to import more U.S. farm goods under a Phase 1 trade deal struck this month, providing support for farm markets. Chinese Vice-Premier […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hog futures rally on China trade optimism

U.S. livestock: Hogs stumble as supply trumps Chinese demand
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures dropped on Friday as pressure from large domestic supplies overshadowed an uptick in pork sales to China. Traders are keeping an eye on Chinese demand because China, the world’s biggest pork consumer, is grappling with a fatal pig disease, African swine fever. Farmers are hoping China will further […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat, soy touch highest prices since summer 2018
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat and soybean futures on Friday touched their highest prices since summer 2018 on expectations for increased Chinese buying as a result of an initial trade deal. Soybeans closed lower in a retreat from the gains. The markets continued to focus on prospects for more U.S. sales to China after […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybeans hit highest price since June 2018
Chicago | Reuters — The most actively traded U.S. soybean futures contract rose on Thursday, touching its highest price since June 2018 on optimism about U.S.-China trade. Traders and farmers hope China, the world’s biggest soybean importer, will ramp up U.S. purchases following a recently struck Phase 1 trade deal, which includes a commitment by […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soybeans, corn rise as traders adjust positions
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean and corn futures ticked higher on Friday as traders adjusted positions ahead of the year-end holidays. Lingering uncertainty over demand prospects created by a U.S.-China trade deal hung over the markets. Crop prices increased after Washington and Beijing last week struck a ‘Phase One’ trade deal that includes a […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle placements top estimates
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle producers placed more animals than expected into feedlots last month, U.S. Department of Agriculture data showed on Friday, raising expectations for big supplies next summer. The increase in placements will likely pressure futures prices on Monday, brokers said. Meat producers and buyers are keeping a close watch on herd […] Read more

U.S. grains: Soy futures ease on rains in South American forecasts
Reuters — U.S. soybean futures edged lower on Thursday, retreating from a five-week high touched earlier this week as traders expected rains to benefit rival suppliers in South America. Favourable crop weather could boost production in Argentina and Brazil, increasing global supplies and competition for export sales to buyers like China. Rains will ease dry […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hog futures rise on pork shipments to China
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. hog futures strengthened on Thursday as the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported shipments of U.S. pork to China last week reached their highest in at least 10 months. Traders and analysts are focusing on exports to China because it is the world’s top pork consumer and has lost about half […] Read more

U.S. grains: Prices slip after rallying on trade deal
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. grain and soybean futures eased on Wednesday as the markets paused after rallying this week on demand hopes fuelled by a U.S.-China trade agreement. The long-awaited agreement included a Chinese commitment to expand purchases of U.S. farm products. However, traders are cautious about projections from Washington that deals will reach […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle retreat from contract highs
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. live cattle futures ended mostly lower on Wednesday as the market retreated from contract highs reached this week. Feeder cattle and hog futures were also mostly weaker. Analysts predict meat packers such as Tyson Foods and JBS USA will buy fewer cattle over the next two weeks because Christmas and […] Read more