Global Economy
As federal policy decisions tend to heavily impact rural industries, the outcome of the 2024 election promises to significantly shape the rural economy in the year ahead. CoBank’s annual report outlines what to expect.
There is evidence the supply-side of the 2024/25 balance sheets for corn and soybeans is still a moving target, which means there’s potential for more market volatility in the next six weeks. On the demand side, questions remain as well.
A Virginia Tech report finds global agricultural productivity growth has slowed from 1.9% to 0.7% annually.
USDA forecasts agricultural exports at $173.5 billion and imports at a record $204 billion for a projected record trade deficit of $30.5 billion.
The effects are already visible, with declining French barley exports to China and the U.S. struggling to sell corn for the new season.
Agricultural imports are expected to reach a record $212 billion, up $8 billion from FY 2024. This increase is largely due to rising imports of horticultural products, sugar and tropical products.
U.S. corn prices hit a four-year low as the prospect for record corn and soybean crops takes shape in the field. The eroding outlook also appeared in the August Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor.
After the three-year hiatus of down markets, grains have turned positive at least in the short-term, which is the first element of turning long-term positive.
Just this week, China’s largest real estate firm was told it must liquidate after trying to restructure for two years. Some experts say the country is teetering on a recession.
Pay attention to the national corn yield, the number of planted corn acres and Brazil’s corn and soybean crops.
Noted ag economist Dr. David Kohl forecasts tighter margins in the year ahead and emphasizes the need to globalize and future-proof operations.
Jon Scheve summarizes the latest weather conditions of the Mato Grosso region in Brazil and how it is impacting prices. He also discusses what to expect in this week’s USDA report.
From the election to world trade, as well as geopolitical factors that have the potential to shape agriculture in 2024, the December Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows the possibility of several economic surprises.
Jon Scheve discusses what variables in South America will contribute to price fluctuations for the next month.
The focus of the soybean market continues to be South American weather and crop expectations. Jerry Gulke says whether or not forecasted rains occur will set the direction for the market into next week and beyond.
Let this sink in: One state in Brazil — Mato Grosso — produces the equivalent of Illinois and Iowa’s soybean production combined. Here’s a look at South America’s growing regions, crop calendar and production capacity.
The shift to an El Niño weather pattern is creating dynamic market conditions. In particular, the U.S. soybean market will be extremely sensitive to threats to the Brazilian crop.
While the U.S. and EU aim to make progress during an upcoming summit, reaching a final agreement is uncertain. This issue has significant implications for U.S./EU ties, climate goals, and geopolitics.
China’s Commerce minister expressed concerns over trade and tech restrictions to U.S. Senate Majority Leader this week. That’s as the U.S. Commerce Department added 42 more Chinese companies to the export blacklist.
While ag economists continue to be at odds when it comes to the likelihood of a recession in the U.S., some doubt the country’s biggest importers will be able to avoid a recession over the next 18 months.
The big market moves this week show just how tight the supply situation is for commodities, says Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group.
Home to 21% of the world’s population, China possesses only 7% of productive farmland. As such, shifts in the composition have effects that ripple across the globe.
After growing up in a small town in northeast Michigan, spending time in Bosnia and earning a degree in economics from Iowa State University, Kauffman started his career with the Federal Reserve.
Understand how global headwinds and tailwinds will affect your operation.
It didn’t start with the swing of an ax in the Amazon or by an explosion in Kiev. Both contributed, but the shifts in global grain flows is a multifaceted prism through which the future is continuing to evolve.
A historic drought has severely cut the size of this year’s crop in Argentina, especially soybeans. Processors will be forced to import soybeans just to stay in business.
As Americans, we are free to debate the budgets, the policies, the processes and purpose of our role in this conflict. I can’t, however, ignore the humanity paying the cost.
“When Ukraine fails, in terms of their ability to produce agricultural products, the world becomes less safe,” says Howard Buffett, global philanthropist and Illinois farmer.
With Brazil’s March beans priced 80 cents lower than US beans, there are rumors grain contracts could be cancelled. Jon Scheve explains how this works and how farmers could be impacted.
How will big South American production impact U.S. producers who are preparing to plant a crop this spring?