Sugar
- U.S. cash traders report that bulk sugar price offers for the 2026-27 new crop remain firm for both beet and cane sugar this week, while most processors remain on the sidelines for new crop sales
- According to Farm Progress, while lower U.S. beet sugar production was anticipated this season because of reduced planted acreage, increased cane sugar production from expanded sugarcane acreage may only partially offset the decline, because of a new infestation of pasture mealybug that is affecting the South’s sugarcane crop
- According to AgroLatam, Brazil's wettest winter in at least 110 years is limiting sugar output in the world’s largest sugar-producing country, despite stronger prices, raising uncertainty over global supplies
- The global sugar markets remained supported by elevated energy prices and ongoing crop concerns, as the El Niño weather pattern continued to affect production prospects in key growing regions, according to analysts
- Speculators cut their net long sugar positions in the week ending Sept. 22 by 12,916 lots, bringing their net long total to 92,615 contracts, according to Commodity Future Trading Commission data
Dry Beans
- Domestic dry bean end users have completed coverage for Q1, according to this week’s updates from cash dealers
- The U.S. dry edible bean harvest is estimated to be 41% complete nationwide as of September 28, according to recent USDA reports. This is behind last year's 48% at this time and the recent average of 64%
- Anticipated lower domestic supplies from Mexico's Sinaloa cycle are projected to drive some renewed export demand back toward U.S. markets, according to analysts
- The latest round of USDA-posted weekly cash offers were 19%-22% 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 now mostly complete through Q1 of 2027
- Rice futures hover near two-year highs due to tightening global supplies from El Niño weather patterns, according to analysts
- According to Blooomberg, top rice exporter India is on course for its driest monsoon in 17 years, as a strengthening El Niño curbs rainfall, threatening crop yields and raising food price risks
Flour
- The wheat markets were lower this week
- The spot Kansas City futures wheat contract has now retraced over 50% of the rally that occurred between June 30 and September 2
- Firm corn prices in anticipation of a smaller U.S. crop this season have lent some underlying support to the wheat markets, according to analysts
- According to Barchart, analysts project September 1 U.S. wheat stocks at 1.857 billion bushels, which would be a drop of 277 million bushels from a year ago if realized
- Ongoing disruptions in the Black Sea shipping corridor continue to inject a risk premium into the grain complex, according to analysts
- According to the USDA, winter wheat planting is 27% complete, compared to 17% last week and 32% a year ago. Rainfall has improved in the U.S. Southern Plains over the last 10 days, according to analysts
- 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.