COFFEE
General Comments: Futures were lower again yesterday as the threat of big offers from Brazil kept would be buyers sidelined. Talk of a big offseason crop coming this year kept ideas that there will be a lot of Coffee for buyers around. Brazil has Coffee to sell, but production in other countries is more problematical. London prices were able to rally. The crops in Vietnam need rain but have not been getting very much if any, and there is no relief in sight. Producers there say losses could be 25% of the production of last year, and offers from there have started to move lower in volume. Ideas of big supplies, mostly from Brazil, keep the selling alive. Reports of rust in Central America and the production cuts that it are still in the press, and rust is now reported in Peru. Central America could lose at least 20% of the total crop this year. Losses next year could be 30% or more of the crop. Current crop development is still good this year in Brazil, and production areas are getting drier weather for the developing crop, although there are a few showers around. There is some talk the drier weather could stress trees. Production ideas remain big there. Vietnam producers there talk about the potential for 25% crop losses due to prolonged drought in the Central Highlands. Central America crops are mostly harvested. Colombia is reported to have good conditions, but some now talk of less than expected production.
Overnight News: Certified stocks are higher today and are about 2.724 million bags. The ICO composite price is now 134.49 ct/lb. Brazil should get mostly dry weather. Temperatures will average near to above normal. Colombia should get scattered showers, and Central America and Mexico should get mostly dry conditions. Temperatures should average near to above normal. ICE said that 5 contracts were delivered today against March futures and that total deliveries for the month are 113 contracts. Vietnam exported 100,380 tons of Coffee in February,down 54% from January and half the exports from last year.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed. Support is at 140.00, 137.00, and 134.00 May, and resistance is at 145.00, 147.00, and 149.00 May. Trends in London are up with objectives of 2230 May. Support is at 2170, 2160, and 2140 May, and resistance is at 2220, 2230, and 2250 May. Trends in Sao Paulo are mixed. Support is at 177.00, 174.00, and 171.00 September, and resistance is at 183.00, 185.00, and 187.00 September.
COTTON
General Comments: Futures were higher yesterday. Demand is still said to be strong, but some buyers are backing away from the market after the rally in prices. New export demand data will be released tomorrow by USDA. The rally is coming at a time when certified stocks are building as well. The current low new crop prices are bringing into question what farmers in Texas and the Delta and Southeast will plant this year. Some producers in the Delta are noting the recent price rally and might decide to plant more Cotton this year. Some are wondering if planted area might be lower this year here in the US due to weak prices against competing crops. The area lost would go mostly to Corn and Soybeans. The plantings intentions report will be released at the end of the month.
Overnight News: The Delta and Southeast will see dry conditions. Temperatures will average mostly below normal early this week and then near to above normal, with warmest readings in the Delta. Texas will get dry weather. Temperatures will average above normal. The USDA spot price is now 81.91 ct/lb. ICE said that certified Cotton stocks are now 0.424 million bales, from 0.415 million yesterday. ICE said that 0 contracts were delivered yesterday and that total deliveries for the month are 1,542 contracts.
Chart Trends: Trends in Cotton are mixed. Support is at 86.10, 85.80, and 85.60 May, with resistance of 88.70, 88.90, and 89.20 May.
Next page: Orange Juice, Sugar and Cocoa
FCOJ
General Comments: Futures closed higher for one more day as traders factor in less production potential due to the greening disease and drought. Temperatures are warm in the state, and conditions are dry, and talk about the potential for more fruit drop and poor development of the crop for next year continues. Harvest in Florida of mid and early oranges is almost over, and the Valencia harvest is underway. Bloom has been reported in groves in all production areas of the state. Brazil is seeing near to above normal temperatures and light showers and could use more rain. More rain is possible there late in the week. ICE said that 0 notices were posted against March contracts and that total deliveries for the month are 0 contracts.
Overnight News: Florida weather forecasts call for mostly dry conditions. Temperatures will average near to below normal.
Chart Trends: Trends in FCOJ are up with objectives of 137.00 May. Support is at 134.00, 132.00, and 124.00 May, with resistance at 141.00, 144.00, and 146.00 May.
SUGAR
General Comments: Futures closed a little lower in consolidation trading. Many are still saying that big supplies are coming to the market. Chart trends in London and New York are up, but the bulls have not been able to push New York prices above 1900 May, at least not yet. Ample offers seem to appear above that level. Futures seem to uncover new consumptive demand every time the market moves below 1800 in New York, and it seems that the market might be developing a trading range. Reports indicate that the Chinese have been using price weakness to buy more Sugar than the trade had anticipated. Brazil will start to offer a little less as mills there prepare for greater domestic Ethanol demand as blends for cars have been changed by the government. Reports from Brazil say that the new crop production looks to be strong, so the diversion into more domestic ethanol use will help offset increased sugarcane production. Exports from Brazil continue to be very strong. Exports from other countries are said to be less than expected.
Overnight News: Mostly dry weather expected in Brazil. Temperatures should be near to above normal.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed to up with objectives of 1900 and 1990 May. Support is at 18650, 1835, and 1815 May, and resistance is at 1900, 1920, and 1940 May. Trends in London are up with objectives of 543.00 and 576.00 May. Support is at 531.00, 529.00, and 527.00 May, and resistance is at 540.00, 541.00, and 544.00 May.
COCOA
General Comments: Futures closed higher on follow through speculative buying. Mot of the buying seemed to be chart based, but there was some tlk of new demand again. Ideas are that current low prices should créate new demand and that the main crop harvest is over in Western Africa and much of Asia so that supplies on offer could also be less. The weather is forecast to be warm and somewhat wet in West Africa this week. For now, traders expect good mid crop production from West Africa. Malaysia and Indonesia crops appear to be in good condition and weather is called favorable. Traders are starting to look ahead and past the midcrop harvest and note that the market could move to a production déficit next year. More buying is being noted in deferred months at this time due to smaller production ideas for the coming crops.
Overnight News: Scattered showers are expected in West Africa. Temperatures will average mostly above normal. Malaysia and Indonesia should see episodes of scattered showers, but Malaysia will be drier this weekend. Temperatures should average near normal. Brazil will get scattered showers and warm temperatures. ICE said that 2 contracts were delivered today against March contracts and that total deliveries for the month are now 840 contracts. ICE certified stocks are lower today at 4.339 million bags.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are up with no objectives. Support is at 2130, 2110, and 2085 May, with resistance at 2175, 2190, and 2220 May. Trends in London are up with objectives of 1490 and 1565 May. Support is at 1450, 1435, and 1405 May, with resistance at 1475, 1495, and 1520 May.
