Soybean futures capped the longest slump in 41 years after a government report showed supplies will climb in the U.S., the world's biggest grower. Corn fell to a four-year low.
Stockpiles of soybeans on Aug. 31, 2015, before next year's harvest, will total 415 million bushels, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday. That's up from 325 million forecast in June. World inventories will be 85.31 million tons, compared with 82.88 million predicted last month. Traders expected 84.69 million, on average.
Prices for the oilseed used in animal feed and biofuel slumped 15 percent in the 12 months through Thursday. Rising supplies are helping to keep global food inflation in check, with the United Nations reporting a third monthly drop in prices in June. Bigger crops also increase the chances of lower costs for buyers including chicken feed consumer Tyson Foods Inc.
"This is a bearish supply freight train hitting the market," said Dale Durchholz, the senior market analyst for AgriVisor LLC in Bloomington, Ill. "Rapidly rising U.S. and global inventories" are coming, he said.
Soybean futures for November delivery fell 1.6 percent to settle at $10.75 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. Prices declined for a 10th straight loss, the longest streak since July 1973.
Farmers will harvest 3.8 billion bushels this year, compared with 3.635 billion estimated in June and last year's crop of 3.289 billion, the USDA said. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News expected 3.789 billion. The USDA raised its forecast for reserves left from last season's crop to 140 million from 125 million estimated last month.
Most crops are in good or excellent condition after ample rain, USDA data show. Cool temperatures in the Midwest will prevent heat stress on plants through next week, according to MDA Weather Services.
Rising supplies will cut feed costs for producers of poultry, hogs and cattle, making it easier to increase meat production after wholesale-beef and pork prices reached records this month. Margins for Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. and Bunge Ltd. will probably improve with more bushels to process and export.
Corn futures for December delivery fell 2 percent to $3.8475 a bushel, after touching $3.825, the lowest since July 2010. The grain entered a bear market this month.
Domestic reserves of corn on Aug. 31, 2015, before next year's harvest, will total 1.801 billion bushels, compared with 1.726 billion forecast in June, the USDA said. Global inventories will be 188.05 million tons, compared with 182.65 million predicted last month and the average analyst estimate of 184.47 million.
"The looming issue here remains weather," said Rich Nelson, chief strategist at Allendale Inc. in McHenry, Ill. Mild temperatures will aid crop pollination, and that "has very big yield implications," he said.
Business on 07/12/2014