Expecting Short-Term Support for Agriculture Sector

May09 sugar futures have been sliding since last week, following market news describing a potential rebound in Indian production coupled with lower projections for crude oil futures. However, $50+ crude is still expensive oil, which makes cane-derived ethanol an attractive option for Brazilian mills. In addition, despite additional sugarcane plantings by opportunistic Indian growers, the longer range weather pattern has not improved for either of the country’s primary cane belts - any increased anticipated production will be limited by water availability.

The WTI current market view (this week’s move into low 12 cent territory notwithstanding) is that the current fundamentals have sugar futures underpriced for both May and July. There is justified support for May09 futures to move back to the 12.55 to 12.9 cent range, and Jul09 shows fair value between 12.85 and 13.2 cents. Out recommendations have stated several times in recent weeks when trading was seen in the upper 13 range, that sugar was overvalued, and profits at those levels should have been taken. Current levels provide another favorable entry point for May.

We also expect support across the grains complex this week, initiated by the expectations of USDA’s winter wheat crop ratings. Most analysts we have been in contact with are expecting a poor assessment of the wheat crop as many regions have been subjected to suboptimal crop weather through the winter. This negative pattern has continued in recent weeks with negative temperature anomalies across much of the northern plains, a negative impact for emergence from dormancy.

The cold pattern for the start of this week across the central to southern plains could bring some of the coldest temperatures for early April that the region has seen in several years, and this would serve to limit yield potential even further. Beyond the US activity supporting wheat, the week is also starting off with additional news of decreased soybean production from Argentina; beans are currently at their highest levels since early February. In the most recent FAS estimate, Argentina’s soybean production (2008/09) is at 43 mmt, which is down nearly 7% from the previous crop year, and nearly -12% vs. 06/07. Similarly, projected yields in Argentina are down 10% vs. last year and -16% vs. 06/07. While world soybean production is still projected to be (slightly) positive in terms of YOY total output, the marginal surplus could still move back to the deficit side, and we can start to see a scenario which is largely constructive for soybeans over the next 4 to 6 weeks.

As we progress through April, U.S. planting conditions should be watched and monitored closely for opportunities to capitalize on short term weather-induced volatility.

Disclosure: none