Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.com

Grain Markets and Other Stuff Links-

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
TikTok
YouTube

Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

0:00 Merry Christmas!
1:00 99 Soybean Problems
4:41 Brazil Economic Problems
7:43 Russia Crop Concerns
9:13 Strong Soybean Shipments
10:23 Flash Sales

🌾 Brazilian and Argentine Weather Forecasts Diverge 🌍
Brazil’s weather remains nearly ideal for soybean growth, with above-normal temperatures expected across most of the country in the next two weeks 🌞. Soybean planting in Brazil is complete, and USDA projects that Brazil will account for 40% of global soybean production this year 🌱. In contrast, Argentina’s weather is turning dry, with key soybean areas expected to receive less than half of their normal rainfall over the next two weeks 🌾. While it's too early for a full "crop scare event," the soybean meal market has already taken notice 📉. Argentina is expected to account for only 12% of global soybean production this year 🌍.

💵 Brazil’s Interest Rates Expected to Rise Amid Inflation 📈
Brazil’s benchmark interest rate is projected to rise sharply as inflation continues to run high. Brazilian economists expect the rate to climb to 15% by June 2025 💸. This month, rates were increased by 1% to 12.25%. The depreciation of the Brazilian real has contributed to elevated inflation levels, as investors lose confidence in the currency due to doubts about Brazil’s president’s commitment to improving the economy.

🌾 Russia’s Winter Crops Face Warm Temperatures 🌡️
Russia’s winter crops could be impacted by above-average temperatures, potentially causing sprouts to resume vegetation 🌱. Sovecon, a Russian consulting group, projects that winter wheat crop acres will be about 5% less than last year 📉. This follows earlier reports that over 37% of Russia’s winter crops were rated as poor or yet to sprout, marking the worst crop condition on record 🌾. Additionally, wheat exports are expected to decline by 17% this season, mainly due to lower production.

📦 US Soybean Shipments Surge, Corn and Wheat Sales Mixed 🚢
US soybean shipments were strong last week, with 1.7 million metric tons (64 million bushels) of soybeans inspected for export 📦. This was a 3% increase from the previous week and a 56% rise compared to the same week last year 📊. Corn shipments were reported at 1.1 million metric tons (44 million bushels), which was a 1.7% decrease compared to the previous week and an 8.5% decline compared to the same week last year 🌽. Wheat shipments hit a 12-week high, surpassing expectations with 403,719 metric tons (15 million bushels) 🌾. The wheat figure was 34% higher than the previous week but 15% lower than the same week last year.

📦 USDA Reports Flash Sales of Corn and Soybeans 🚢
132,000mt (5 million bushels) of corn were sold to unknown destinations for delivery during the 2024/2025 marketing year 🌽.
132,000mt (5 million bushels) of soybeans were sold to China for delivery during the 2024/2025 marketing year 🌱.