Despite CBOT highs, exchange rate pressures soybean prices in Brazil again

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     Porto Alegre, August 30 2021 – Last week had only a few deals and lower prices in the Brazilian physical soybean market. Trading remains slow. Well-capitalized, growers have been on the defensive, making few offers and waiting for better prices. Besides, the growers’ focus begins to shift to the beginning of the new crop planting, which begins in September.

     The references for the formation of domestic prices followed different trends. Futures contracts and premiums rose, but the dollar fell against the real. This scenario contributed to sellers’ caution, even with good demand.

     A 60-kilogram bag dropped from BRL 169.00 to 167.00 last week in Passo Fundo (RS). In Cascavel (PR), prices fell from BRL 167.00 to 165.00. In Rondonópolis (MT), they decreased from BRL 174.00 to 171.00, and at the Port of Paranaguá, from BRL 171.50 to 169.50.

     In Chicago, the November position accumulated an appreciation of 2.52%, closing the week at USD 13.23. The market found support in signs of good demand for the product in the United States and in a more positive financial scenario, especially in the first part of the week.

     The climate in the United States remains in the spotlight. Early last week, the worsening of crop conditions and the forecast of little rain contributed to Chicago’s rebound. But the weather market changed, and the indication of rain helped to reduce the weekly appreciation.

     After sharp highs in the week earlier, the dollar fell 3.49% against the real through last Thursday. The reduction of concern with the world economy made the dollar decline to the level of BRL 5.197. But political and economic uncertainties still threaten the exchange rate scenario.

     Premiums had a positive week in Brazil, given the slow pace of sales in the physical market. For the current crop, the premium for October is 165 to 180 points above Chicago. For the new crop, the reference is from +12 to +25 for March in Paranaguá.

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