Sugar
- U.S. cash traders report that bulk sugar price offers for the 2026-27 crop year remained firm for both beet and cane sugar this week, while several processors remain on the sidelines for new crop sales
- According to UkrAgroConsult, sugar beet production in the United States could remain unprofitable in 2027 despite an expected rise in sugar prices and a gradual improvement in market conditions. Difficult financial conditions have pushed U.S. sugar beet acreage to its lowest level since 1960. Drought has added further pressure on production, with up to 96% of sugar beet acreage experiencing some degree of dryness or drought toward the end of the season
- According to MarketScreener, India's sugar production surged 745% in October from a year earlier, as mills in the western state of Maharashtra began crushing cane earlier than usual to boost supplies during the festive season, a leading industry body said. Sugar output rose to 845,000 metric tons during the month, up 100,000 tons from a year earlier, the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories said in a statement
- Spot global sugar futures have run into resistance following a 60% price rally since the beginning of July
Dry Beans
- Domestic dry bean end users are finishing up Q2 bookings, according to the most recent updates from cash dealers
- The U.S. dry edible bean market is experiencing a significant supply squeeze and firming price trends, driven by a smaller 2026 harvest and reduced acreage, according to recent updates from the USDA
- The latest round of USDA-posted weekly cash offers were 24%-27% lower than last year’s levels for the spot position delivered to the warehouse for most dry bean varieties
Rice
- U.S. cash dealers report that domestic bookings of milled and industrial rice are mostly complete through Q2
- Spot rice futures continue to hover at multi-year highs
- In its September 2026 Rice Outlook report, the USDA estimated 2026/27 U.S. long-grain rice production at 103.5 million cwt., which would be the smallest crop since 1987/88
- In its October 2026 Rice Outlook report, the USDA reduced projected U.S. rice ending stocks to 40.0 million cwt., which would be a three-year low, and a 32% decline year-over-year
Flour
- The wheat markets were lower this week
- The spot U.S. winter wheat futures contract has dropped nearly 27% from the highs posted in early September
- Corn prices have moved sharply lower over the last few weeks, following bearish USDA reports in early October, which has led to some spillover selling in wheat, as both markets compete into domestic feed channels, according to analysts
- According to the USDA, winter wheat planting is 83% complete, compared to 75% last week and the five-year average of 84%
- U.S. wheat prices remain very uncompetitive to non-captive destinations for export, according to analysts
The data contained in the Farmer’s Report is provided for informational purposes only, is not tailored to your specific purchasing needs, and is not intended as a substitute for any other publicly-available market data or information. The Farmer’s Report is compiled from the last-received market data provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and/or other market sources, and is subject to change without notice. Nothing herein is the opinion of US Foods®. US Foods neither assumes any legal liability nor makes any warranty or guaranty, either express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy or usefulness of this information.