Due to volatility in the fertilizer markets, domestic urea producers said they are strengthening their coordination and “strictly implementing” requirements to stabilize prices, ensure supply, and are prioritizing the domestic market. One news report from the Chinese outlet Cailin quotes an executive saying, “We are now mainly focused on ensuring the domestic market; this is… Continue reading Government and SOEs crack down on fertilizer speculation
Author: Darin Friedrichs
Wheat conditions improve slightly; but lagging last year
Wheat conditions improved slightly over the past week but remain down sharply compared to last year. In Henan, the amount rated the best, or Class 1, fell by 2% to 34%. The amount rated as weak, or Class 3, fell by 3% to 36%. Shandong province saw more improvement, with Class 1 rising from 16%… Continue reading Wheat conditions improve slightly; but lagging last year
Weekly Summary and Outlook – March 9-13
This week saw consumer inflation hit 1.3% in February, the highest since January 2023. Corn and wheat prices continued to rise, and the national wheat auction saw 100% of the volume sold. Changes to balance sheets from both the USDA and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture were minimal. Markets, especially oilseeds, meals, and oil, were… Continue reading Weekly Summary and Outlook – March 9-13
WASDE; spread update; protein prices; futures recap
USDA makes minimal changes to China balance sheets In the March WASDE report, the USDA increased its estimates for China’s barley imports to 11 million tons for 2025/26, up from 10.5 million tons previously. This also increased China’s feed use of barley from 8.7 million tons to 9.2 million tons. Cotton production was raised from… Continue reading WASDE; spread update; protein prices; futures recap
Corn and wheat prices stronger in central China
The average purchase price of wheat in Hubei province was up 2 yuan per ton over the past week, although the provincial stockpiling agency notes that prices at flour millers are up about 10-20 yuan per ton. Corn prices in northern Hubei are now above 2500 yuan per ton, up 40-60 yuan per ton since… Continue reading Corn and wheat prices stronger in central China
Wheat auction sees prices sharply higher and all wheat purchased
Wednesday’s national auction of wheat reserve auction saw 300.7k tons of wheat listed for sale, and 100% of this was purchased by the market. The average price was 2403 yuan per ton, up 39 yuan per ton compared to last week’s auction. The highest price was 2500 yuan per ton, a new high for this… Continue reading Wheat auction sees prices sharply higher and all wheat purchased
Weather service warns of elevated risk of pests and diseases in wheat regions
The National Meteorological Center issued a warning about increased risks of plant diseases and pests across the winter wheat region due to higher temperatures in February, combined with increased rainfall. Going into the spring, the winter wheat seedlings are seeing weaker growth and disease resistance. In addition, the delay meant that much of the wheat… Continue reading Weather service warns of elevated risk of pests and diseases in wheat regions
Spread Update – 2026-03-11
DCE Spreads 2026-03-11Download… Subscriber content: Sitonia Consulting provides market intelligence on Chinese agricultural markets. For a free trial, please visit here or email info@sitoniaconsulting.com Please login to view this page.
Soybean shipments; futures recap
Soybean shipments to China Futures Recap Agriculture futures prices were lower across the board on Tuesday following the spike higher on Monday. No.2 imported soybeans have been very volatile with prices hitting limit-up on Monday morning, gapping lower in the morning session on Tuesday, and now have gapped higher in the evening session. Soybean meal… Continue reading Soybean shipments; futures recap
CASDE notes tightness in corn but balance sheets unchanged
In its March China Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (CASDE) report, the Ministry of Agriculture kept its corn production balance sheet unchanged. It notes strong corn demand from feed and corn processors, with prices rising, and higher trading in the spot market. It also notes that the remaining stocks of corn stored by farmers are… Continue reading CASDE notes tightness in corn but balance sheets unchanged