Canada Markets
Hard Red Winter Wheat Leads Complex Higher
March hard red winter wheat has led the wheat complex higher in recent trade, closing higher for the fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, up 5 1/4 cents to $5.15/bushel. Wednesday's close was near the $5.15 1/2/bu high reached Wednesday, which was the highest trade seen on this contract in almost five weeks.
Reaching a four-week high is a bullish technical signal. Since the recent Jan. 15 low, March HRW has gained 4.6% to Wednesday's close, while the SRW contract has gained 3.5% and spring wheat has advanced 1.5%. Bloomberg reported that China may entertain buying 3-7 million metric tons of U.S. wheat, which has likely led to a combination of commercial and noncommercial buying interest.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding such statements, the lower study on the attached chart shows the March/May futures spread narrowing from minus 12 cents (May trading over the March) to minus 9 cents. This is a sign of supportive commercial activity and the narrowest spread seen since early August.
P[L1] D[0x0] M[300x250] OOP[F] ADUNIT[] T[]
Cash markets are also showing signs of strength. As of Tuesday, the National Average Basis in the U.S. was reported at 25 cents under the March, which compares to the three-year average of 65 1/4 cents under. This strength is also seen in prairie cash markets. Saskatchewan Agriculture reports their weekly cash price at $220.36/mt for No. 1 Canada Prairie Spring Red wheat as of Jan. 16, while a quick look at cash bids on Wednesday shows CPS Red trading in the $230 to $240/mt range in one company's bids. Saskatchewan Agriculture does not show a weekly average this high in their weekly data that stretches back to April 2014.
Perhaps the risk is if the U.S. and China fail to come together to reach a trade deal, which could lead to a sudden change in direction as the speculative trade liquidates.
DTN 360 POLL
This week's poll asks what crop you think shows the best chances for a positive return on your farm or in your area. You can weigh in with your thoughts to this poll, which is found, at the lower right of your DTN Canada website.
Cliff Jamieson can be reached at cliff.jamieson@dtn.com
Follow him on Twitter @CliffJamieson
(ES/)
© Copyright 2019 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.
Comments
To comment, please Log In or Join our Community .