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Grain Markets and Other Stuff

Joe Vaclavik
Grain Markets and Other Stuff
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  • Trump's "Silly and Misguided" Cooking Oil Threat
    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.🇺🇸 Trump Eyes Cooking Oil Embargo Against ChinaPresident Trump is considering a cooking oil embargo targeting China 🇨🇳. The move follows Beijing’s refusal to buy U.S. soybeans—which Trump called an “economically hostile act.”🛢️ Biofuels & UCO Trade ShiftChinese used cooking oil (UCO) exports hit record highs in 2024, with the U.S. buying 1.3 MMT—43% of total exports. But those imports have likely plunged this year since biofuel tax incentives for imported UCO were eliminated. Trump says the U.S. can produce its own cooking oil supply.🌱 Soybean Market UpdateSoybean futures ticked slightly lower Tuesday despite strong export inspections — 994,000 MT last week, the best since February. Top buyers: Mexico, Spain & Bangladesh.Corn and wheat shipments were mixed as traders remain cautious with the USDA data delay during the government shutdown.🚢 Port Fees & Trade TensionsTrump’s new U.S. port fees are adding pressure to Chinese shipping companies like COSCO & OOCL. China has retaliated with special vessel fees on certain U.S. ships.👉 Note: Most grain shipments are exempt thanks to strong farm-group pushback.🌎 Brazil Crop Outlook🇧🇷 Conab projects record soybean output at 177.6 MMT, up 3.5% YoY, with exports near 112 MMT. Corn output seen at 138.6 MMT, with exports of 46.5 MMT (+16%).💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments—are markets overreacting to trade headlines?📈 Subscribe to stay ahead of every major ag, trade, and market update—all in under 5 minutes.🧠 Stay informed. Stay independent.
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  • Trump/Xi Meeting Still Possible + US Dollar Rally
    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.🇺🇸🤝🇨🇳 US-China Meeting Still On President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are still expected to meet in South Korea at the end of the month to discuss trade. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the plans on Monday, easing fears the meeting might be canceled after a tense weekend. The news helped stocks rebound after Friday’s sell-off. Bessent said the two sides held extensive talks over the weekend and will continue discussions this week in Washington during the World Bank and IMF meetings. China’s commerce ministry reiterated it remains open to dialogue but warned the US against making threats while seeking talks.🌽🌱 US Harvest Progress Slows The US corn and soybean harvests are trailing last year’s pace. A Reuters poll showed corn harvest at 44% complete and soybeans at 58%, both slightly behind 2023 levels. Analysts attribute the lag to slower crop dry-down. Normally, USDA reports would confirm progress, but updates are paused due to the ongoing government shutdown.💵📈 Dollar Rebounds Amid Trade Hopes The US dollar climbed Monday on optimism about a potential trade deal with China, brushing off Trump’s latest tariff threats. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose 0.2%, while the yen and euro weakened. Despite Friday’s market tumble, comments from Trump and Vice President JD Vance suggested openness to more talks, helping restore confidence in US markets.🚜📊 Tractor Sales Finally Rise US tractor sales increased 4.1% in September—the first gain in over a year. The modest rebound offers hope for the struggling farm machinery sector, though combine sales plunged 22%. Manufacturers like John Deere expect 2025 to mark the low point for sales, with recovery likely next year.🌎🌾 China’s Soybean Imports Hit Record Levels China imported 12.9mmt of soybeans in September, the second-highest monthly total ever and the fifth straight record. Year-to-date imports are up 5.3% from last year, driven by strong demand and higher purchases from Argentina and Brazil. China hasn’t yet bought US soybeans this season, and renewed trade tensions are casting doubt on a Trump-Xi meeting to discuss the issue.🇧🇷🌱 Brazil’s Soybean Planting Accelerates Soybean planting in Brazil is moving quickly—14% complete as of last week, the third-fastest pace on record. AgRural reports rapid progress despite uneven weather, with Conab projecting a 177.7mmt crop. Brazil’s first corn crop is 45% planted, slightly ahead of last year’s pace.💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments—are markets overreacting to trade headlines?📈 Subscribe to stay ahead of every major ag, trade, and market update—all in under 5 minutes.🧠 Stay informed. Stay independent.
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  • Trump Chickens Out Again, Market Whiplash Ensues
    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.🚨 U.S.–China Trade Tensions Flare AgainTrade tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated sharply. On Friday, President Trump announced plans to impose new 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting November 1, raising total tariffs on many goods to 130%. The move follows China’s announcement of its own export controls, set to begin the same day. The back-and-forth has cast doubt on a potential Trump–Xi meeting later this month. Trump’s follow-up post on Sunday struck a softer tone, helping markets recover part of Friday’s losses. See both Truth Social posts below.🌾 Soybeans & Ag MarketsSoybean futures tumbled on Friday as trade tensions intensified. November ’25 soybeans fell 16¢ to around $10.07/bu after China announced new export restrictions and retaliatory port fees. The measures would target rare earth minerals and U.S.-linked vessels. Trump responded that there was “no reason” to meet with Xi and reaffirmed tariff threats. Hopes for a renewed Chinese purchase program have faded, though the U.S. is now exploring alternative export markets and domestic soybean uses.📉 Stocks & Crude Oil ReactionThe S&P 500 dropped 2.7%, Dow −1.9%, and Nasdaq −3.6% Friday—Wall Street’s worst day since April. The sell-off followed Trump’s tariff announcement and China’s rare-earth retaliation. Oil prices also slid, with WTI crude dipping below $59/bbl, the lowest since May. Despite the sharp move, equities remain near record highs after a months-long rally. Early Monday, futures rebounded following Trump’s more conciliatory weekend tone.💥 Crypto Market MeltdownThe tariff shock triggered the largest crypto liquidation in history—nearly 1.6 million traders liquidated, totaling $19 billion+, with some estimates as high as $400 billion in wiped-out value. Bitcoin plunged 12%, from over $125k to under $113k. Analysts now eye $100k as key support. Excessive leverage across crypto markets amplified the crash—“altcoins” were hit hardest. See Charlie Munger’s quote below on the dangers of leverage.🌦️ U.S. Weather & Harvest ProgressWeekend rainfall was light across much of the Corn Belt, with heavier totals in central/northern Missouri. Limited rains also reached the Dakotas and Minnesota. Based on prior USDA data (as of Sept 29: corn 18% harvested, soybeans 19%), harvest is likely near 50% complete. With the government shutdown, no new Crop Progress report will be released today.
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  • Make Soybeans Great Again—Just as Soon as the Government Reopens
    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.🇨🇳 Trump Eyes Soybean Revival President Trump says he’s confident China will resume buying U.S. soybeans 🌱. He plans to pressure Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month to restart imports. A new farm aid package was expected this week to offset trade war losses, but the government shutdown ⛔ has delayed it. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says once the government reopens, a “significant” support program will roll out. Trump warned that if talks fail, the U.S. could restrict exports to China—or block Chinese imports entirely. ⚖️📉 Markets in the Dark The shutdown has blinded grain markets. With the USDA halting major reports—including export sales, crop progress, and WASDE—market transparency has vanished. Analysts say the lack of data is fueling uncertainty during harvest. 🌾 Big players like Cargill and ADM still have their own numbers, but smaller traders are left guessing. Many expect market corrections once the reports resume.🔥 Heat and Drought Deepen USDA’s latest drought monitor shows hot, dry weather worsening conditions across the Corn Belt. 🌡️ Drought expanded in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and Missouri, while only parts of Iowa saw slight improvement. The High Plains also stayed dry, with more drought creeping into South Dakota, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.Areas in Drought: 🌽 Corn – 31% 🫘 Soybeans – 39% 🌾 Winter Wheat – 45% 🌱 Spring Wheat – 16% 🐄 Cattle – 25%💵 U.S. Backs Argentina’s Economy The U.S. has launched a $20 billion financial rescue plan for Argentina, including a currency swap and direct peso purchases 🇦🇷. Some call the move risky, citing Argentina’s default history. U.S. farmers aren’t thrilled either—Argentina’s boosted soybean sales to China have cut into American export opportunities. 😒🌻 Russia Cuts Wheat Plantings Russian farmers plan to reduce wheat acreage by 6%, shifting to oilseeds instead. Poor profits, high export duties, and drought are driving the change. Russia expects to harvest about 88 million metric tons, but global oversupply keeps wheat prices near five-year lows. 📉🤝 U.S.–India Talks Gain Ground Trade talks between the U.S. and India are showing progress 🇮🇳. Modi and Trump discussed recent breakthroughs, and another round is coming soon. The U.S. wants India to stop buying Russian oil, while India offered to import U.S. corn for ethanol as a concession. India produces 2.5B gallons of ethanol yearly—far below the U.S.’s 17B gallons. 🌽⚗️Stay informed! 📈Subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future updates. Drop a comment below with your thoughts on the latest news—let’s discuss!
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  • US Soybeans Ghosted as China Courts Brazil... Also, is China Buying US Beans Under the Radar??
    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.🇨🇳 China Fuels Brazil’s Soybean Boom China’s surging demand is driving Brazilian soybean exports to record highs. 🌱 Brazil is on pace to ship 102.2 MMT by the end of October, surpassing last year’s record. Nearly 80% of those exports are headed to China, as the country turns away from U.S. soybeans amid the ongoing trade war. With a bumper harvest, exports could reach 110 MMT for the full year.🌾 U.S. Farmers Face a Soybean Storage Squeeze A rapid harvest and weak Chinese demand have U.S. farmers running out of space. 🚜 Many face tough choices — piling soybeans on the ground under tarps or selling at steep discounts. In North Dakota, this year’s crop is expected to exceed storage by 33%, with surpluses of 26% in South Dakota and 15% in Nebraska.🛢️ Oil Slips as Tensions Ease and Supplies Build Oil prices fell Wednesday as easing Middle East tensions and rising U.S. inventories weighed on the market. Brent dipped below $66, and WTI slid to $61.50 per barrel. President Trump announced a Gaza hostage-release deal, while U.S. crude stockpiles rose for a second week. Analysts expect a market surplus soon, with Goldman Sachs projecting Brent to average $56 next year.🍶 U.S. Ethanol Output Hits Seasonal High Ethanol production jumped 7.6% week-over-week to 1.07 million barrels per day, the highest this season. Stocks fell slightly to 22.7 million barrels, while margins across the Corn Belt remain positive—ranging from 20¢ to 45¢ per gallon. 💪💸 Fed Split on Path for Rate Cuts Federal Reserve minutes revealed most policymakers expect more rate cuts this year, but opinions remain divided. 📉 Inflation is still sticky even as the labor market cools. The median forecast calls for two more quarter-point cuts by year-end, though some members see fewer. Markets are betting on cuts in October and December.🥇 Precious Metals Hit Record Highs Gold and silver soared Wednesday on safe-haven demand. 💰 Gold broke above $4,000/oz, and silver hit $49.57/oz—both all-time highs. The rallies were fueled by geopolitical risks, rate-cut expectations, and the U.S. government shutdown. Goldman Sachs now sees gold climbing to $4,900 by the end of 2026, with prices up 50% this year.📈 Stay InformedSubscribe to the channel and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future updates. Drop a comment below with your thoughts on the latest news—let’s discuss!
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About Grain Markets and Other Stuff

Joe Vaclavik and Mackenzie Johnston discuss the grain markets, the business of farming, news related to agriculture, and a variety of other topics.
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