China - Sugar prices soar on supply fears

European sugar prices have soared by over €100/t in the last three months to highs of €550/t in March on the back of tightening supplies. Despite still operating in a quota system, EU production has tightened in the last two seasons, while production in China is also well down on previous years.

USA - Surge in grain markets due to fund buying spree

Grain prices shot to monthly highs last week as hedge funds piled into agricultural commodities amid weather concerns in South America. Corn and wheat prices jumped by as much as $20/t as strong demand for soybeans spilled into cereal markets. However, the rally collapsed at the end of the week as hedge funds adjusted their positions and sold out of ag commodities.

Australia - Live cattle export trade to China continues

Australian live exporter Elders this week sent a shipment of beef cattle to China - its second in the last six months. Having shipped 170 Angus steers by airfreight to China in October 2015, Elders sent a further 180 steers via aircraft to China on Tuesday.

Canada - Wheat sowings higher than forecast

Canadian grain farmers are set to plant 23.8m acres in wheat this year, according to a recent survey of growers. Albeit a 1.1% decline on the 24.1m acres planted in 2015, it is less of a decrease in wheat plantings than had been suggested, with some analysts forecasting a drop in sowings to 23.2m acres.