Sugar
- 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, with minimal trading reported
- Weekly USDA ratings of good-to-excellent for the sugarbeet crop were 95% in Minnesota (compared to 96% last week and 83% a year ago), 96% in North Dakota (compared to 96% last week and 84% a year ago), 78% in Idaho (compared to 79% last week and 91% a year ago), 62% in Michigan (compared to 65% last week and 88% a year ago), 46% in Colorado (compared to 55% last week and 64% a year ago), and 61% in Wyoming (compared to 77% last week and 90% a year ago)
- The sugar cane crop in Louisiana was rated 52% good-to-excellent by the USDA as of August 2, down sharply from 61% last week and 83% a year ago. It was the lowest good-to-excellent rating for the date in at least a decade. The crop was rated 39% fair, compared to 30% last week and 15% a year ago)
- According to Reuters, cane and beet sugar demand in the U.S. rose 0.6% in the first half of the 2025/26 marketing year that started in October, while high-fructose corn syrup deliveries fell 3.5% in the same period
- Spot global sugar futures reached their highest level since early July this week
Dry Beans
- Domestic dry bean end users have pushed their coverage well into Q4, according to this week’s updates from cash dealers
- As of August 3, the USDA rated the dry bean crop 51% good-to-excellent, up from 49% last week but down from 69% a year ago
- A commissioned North Dakota State University study highlights tight margins and structural revenue pressures for dry bean farmers
- The latest round of USDA-posted weekly cash offers were 2%-5% 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 the balance of the calendar year
- The USDA projects record global rice consumption for 2026–27 at 541.4 million metric tons, and reports that tightened U.S. ending stocks have pushed the season-average farm price up to an estimated $14.90 per cwt., though domestic producers continue to feel the squeeze of high irrigation fuel and fertilizer overheads
- According to Rice News Today, Indian rice export prices extended gains to hit a 10-month peak this week, supported by higher domestic paddy prices amid tightening supplies and concerns over the new-season crop, while domestic prices in Bangladesh stayed elevated due to flood damage
Flour
- The wheat markets were lower this week
- Per the USDA, total U.S. wheat ending stocks for the 2026/27 marketing year are projected down 21% to a three-year low of 722 million bushels, with Hard Red Winter production having its smallest crop footprint since 1957/58
- Ukrainian Black Sea shipping routes remain constrained at roughly half capacity, while extreme heat has driven European grain production down sharply, according to analysts
- According to the weekly Crop Conditions report, the USDA reported that harvesting of the winter wheat crop is 86% complete, up from 81% the previous week and the same as the five-year average
- Also according to the weekly Crop Conditions report, the USDA rated the spring wheat crop 55% good-to-excellent, compared to 53% last week and 48% a year ago. The crop is 5% harvested, up from 2% last week but below the five-year average of 8%
- U.S. wheat prices remain very uncompetitive to non-captive destinations for export, according to analysts