Shoud we Expect a Wild Week for Grain Prices?

Even though the USDA data report released earlier this week typically pales in comparison to the influence on grain prices of the agency’s Prospective Plantings report coming later this month, it’s been an especially quiet start to March for grains. That’s likely to change in the coming week, with changes in the fund futures contract position volume starting on Monday, as well as continued price pressure from South American crop prospects and questions around the sustainability of U.S. grain exports to major trading partners like China. Also featured next week is a meeting between top officials from the U.S. and China. They will discuss, among other issues, Phase I grain export sales commitments. All these variables — as well as upcoming spring planting progress — could make for a volatile second half of March for the grain markets. See what you need to know about these factors.