Analyst Insights

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Raw sugar future prices tumbled this week and deliveries slowed. However, this market weakness can only be seen as temporary in the context of lethargic plantings and reduced availability of sugar imports from Mexico.

Daily Market Price Updates and Commentary 

The global grains market remains comfortably supplied this week. However, volatility remains as events in the Black Sea continue to be unpredictable. Weather events could be the wild card for prices.

Iran’s missile attack on Israel has intensified the already precarious situation in the region. This adds complexity to an already unstable freight environment. But cargoes are transiting the region with no obvious increase in rates.

Daily Market Price Updates and Commentary

Raw sugar futures have dropped below 20c/lb for the first time since March 2023. This weakness has been accompanied by significant speculative selling. Speculators are now net short raw sugar for the first time since October 2022.

• The white premium is backwardated through 2024 and into 2025.
• Why does it get cheaper through time?
• What does this mean for re-export refiners?

Urea prices have continued to fall. India’s decision to cut imports has hit the market hard. Plus the middle of the year is usually a slow time for northern hemisphere demand.

GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic seem to help weight loss by curbing impulsive behaviour. As they become more widely available this could have implications for food consumption. We examine what might happen.

China’s PET resin export prices physical differential to feedstock costs has become more negative. PTA futures have strengthened slightly, whilst MEF futures remain flat over the previous week. East China’s main port MEG inventories declined again following strong increase the week before.

Daily Market Price Updates and Commentary