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 some processors remain on the sidelines for new crop sales
- According to Market Screener, the International Sugar Organization expects a small global sugar deficit of 200,000 metric tons in the 2026/27 season. The intergovernmental body, in a quarterly update, said production outside Brazil was expected to fall by around 4.4 million tons, with decreases in the European Union, Thailand and Central America
- Global spot sugar futures rose to their highest level since April 2025
Dry Beans
- Domestic dry bean end users have completed their coverage for Q4, while Q1 business is picking up, according to this week’s updates from cash dealers
- Overall, U.S. dry edible bean acreage faced regional contractions in 2026, as some growers rotated into alternative crops like soybeans, but strong yields supported by irrigation are helping to offset this, according to analysts
- The latest round of USDA-posted weekly cash offers were 15%-20% 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 complete through the balance of the calendar year, with some Q1 business now getting done
- Per the USDA’s Crop Progress report released on August 31, roughly 38% of the U.S. rice crop has been harvested, above the five-year average of 28%, with 71% of the crop rated in good-to-excellent condition
- The USDA reports that 2026/27 total U.S. rice production is forecast at 158.4 million hundredweight (cwt)—remaining near a 33-year low despite a slight upward revision
- Spot domestic rice futures traded back up to their highest level since late December 2024
Flour
- The wheat markets were higher his week
- The spot Kansas City wheat futures reached its highest level since July 2023 this week
- Ongoing disruptions in the Black Sea shipping corridor continue to inject a risk premium into the grain complex, according to analysts
- According to UkrAgroConsult Australia has raised its 2026/27 wheat production forecast to 29.9 million tons after strong winter rainfall significantly improved crop conditions. The Agriculture Department’s new estimate is around 12% above its June forecast, and the expected crop could be the eighth-largest on record
- Surging corn prices, due to expectations of lower production, have provided spillover support for the wheat markets, according to analysts
- According to the USDA, the spring wheat crop is 77% harvested, up from 62% last week and above the five-year average of 68%
- U.S. wheat prices remain very uncompetitive to non-captive destinations for export, according to analysts