Shurley: Prices Rally from New Low, No Push Higher in Sight
June 19, 2019 New crop December futures have rallied from the recent new low below 65 cents. December is currently at 66+ and likely to track in the 65 to 68-69 cents range in the near term unless a major unforeseen factor arises.
Prices previously had support at 66 cents and had rallied back to over 68 cents before losing ground and eventually moving below 65 cents last week.
There are many production uncertainties as we look ahead:
- The first USDA estimate of actual acres planted will be published on June 29. Given all the rain and delayed planting in the Mid-South and the drought in the Southeast, will the June number capture the extent of prevented planting acres and shift to other crops?
- The Southeast has finally received much needed rainfall. Has this rescued that portion of the crop that was at risk and will conditions continue more favorable for the remainder of the season?
- Texas is an even bigger than normal wildcard. There are late plantings, prevented planting acres, acres switched to other crops, etc. – a mix of everything.
USDA released its June crop production and supply/demand estimates on June 11, and I consider the numbers neutral to bearish. A quick summary includes:
- U.S. production for 2019 is unchanged from the May estimate at 22 million bales. This will very likely change with next month’s report. Higher or lower is the big question.
- Projected U.S. exports for the 2019 crop marketing year remain at 17 million bales. This compares to 14.75 million bales projected for the 2018 marketing year.
- World beginning stocks for the 2019 crop year were increased due to supply and demand revisions for 2018.
- 2019 world production was lowered slightly
- World use was lowered 660,000 bales – 500,000 of that for China
- Chinese imports for the 2019 crop year were lowered 500,000 bales
- Imports for Vietnam and Bangladesh were lowered 100,000 bales for each
It seems to me that the current market (December 2019 futures in the mid-60s neighborhood) is based on a rather optimistic combination of scenarios for the degree of uncertainty out there. But, I’ve been wrong before. In addition to uncertainties about the U.S. crop, the USDA projection of 17 million in exports is a question mark given the on-going U.S.-China trade situation. Use must also stay strong.
U.S. cotton export sales and shipments have been good, with shipments as of June 6 totaling 11.5 million bales. To reach USDA’s projection of 14.75 million bales for the 2018 marketing year ending July 31, export shipments must average approximately 400,000 bales per week. Shipments for the last four weeks reported have averaged approximately 388,000 bales.
The 2019 crop has gotten off to a rough start for many producers. Prices have tumbled, and the planting and early season has been very challenging. We still wait on a resolution to the U.S.-China trade and tariff situation, but we are starting to get information and some details on disaster assistance (WHIP payments) and trade assistance (MFP payments). We also wait on ratification of the USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada) trade agreement.
All this causes uncertainty in cash flow for farm businesses. Questions still exist on how WHIP disaster assistance payments will be determined. Likewise, there are questions on how MFP payments will be determined (on a per acre amount by county) compared to last year when payments were made on a fixed per unit of production basis.
The seed cotton PLC and ARC payments for the 2018 crop will be received in October. Based on the final 2018 production estimates and the currently projected 2018 market average prices, the seed cotton PLC payment rate is currently projected to be 2.38 cents per lb (36.7 reference price – 34.32 MYA price = 2.38 PLC rate).
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