Tag: Business

Wool market keeps on improving

Posted on by Caitlin Dearden

The continued good news regarding the wool market is providing a positive setting for wool producers; with some now locking in prices for future clips and making decisions to expand production. A quick look at relative prices shows the EMI is 248 cents higher year-on-year, while in US$ terms it is up 231 cents.

The Eastern Market Indicator for the week lifted another 16 cents to close at 1,566 cents in A$ terms, while in US$ terms it rose 11 cents to 1,224.  The market in the west also improved, gaining 13 cents to close at 1621 cents.

This week the market opened strongly on Wednesday then settled into a “firm” trend resulting in a good result for sellers; and they responded by only Passing-in 3.3% of the 38,103 bales offered- well below the season average of 7.3%.

Crossbred wool again was unable to follow the lead of the Merino section, losing ground across the board, with the only exception being the limited 32 MPG offering which held steady.

A note from AWEX this week points out that the poorly prepared X Bred clips were the most affected and struggled to attract competition. This is a salient reminder, when demand weakens the focus of buyers shifts to the better lots; in a strong market, the case is often that poorer lots are well supported as buyer’s scramble for supply.

It was also observed that the Skirtings market is feeling the effects of a strong Merino fleece wool market with most types improving 20 to 40 cents for the week.

The scramble for “low mid break” lots resulted in these types at times posting extreme prices. AWEX report that up to 70 cent premiums are evident for wool with the “right” specifications. This is a response to the normal seasonal increase in high Mid Break lots coming forward, as reported by Mecardo this week.

Cardings are also tracking along nicely, and while yet to reach the 1200 cent peak of May, they are well entrenched above 1,100 cents, mainly due to the limited supply.

The week ahead

A total of 46,512 bales are listed for sale next week across the three selling centres over 2 days. This is consistent for the next three weeks roster with around 40,000 predicted each week to be offered.

As stated last week, “the surge in the market is enticing, and again shows the resilience of the wool market now”. Despite an increasing offering that is normal as Spring shearing clips arrive, it is difficult to see anything but positive times (at least in the short term) for wool.

 

An Indian Summer

Posted on by Caitlin Dearden

Futures markets edged lower this week, but were balanced by a fall in the Aussie dollar. In this week’s comment, we look at rumours of increased import duties in India, and local premiums over Chicago futures.

The futures market lost strength over the past week, with a week on week change of 11.5¢/bu (figure 1) or approximately A$5.4/mt. There hasn’t been much in the way of fresh information in recent weeks to drastically move the markets.  The A$, has also fallen to 77¢, from 80¢ this time a month ago, provided some comfort to pricing.

There are rumours that India will increase import duties from 10% to 20-25% in the coming weeks. The Indian government are likely to introduce to an increased wheat import duty in order to encourage local producers to plant wheat, by making foreign wheat more expensive. India is very much an on-off importer (figure 2), and in recent years has become more important, however as we can see in figure 2, they often switch between an exporting and importing nation. It must be said that as the Indian economy grows, along with an expanding population that imports are liable to swell.

At a local level, we have seen some rain around the country. I am sceptical at this point that it will be beneficial in northern NSW & QLD, however will help the Victorian crop. At present basis levels continue to stay strong due to the domestic demand, and in Port Kembla premiums over Chicago futures continue to remain at historically high levels (figure 3). The question remains, how long will these premiums remain. In Australia around 8-9mmt of wheat is required domestically, even though this is a poor production year we will have more than enough to meet requirements especially when we consider carryover from last season.

There are very few growers who have forward sold for the coming harvest, it is advisable to consider selling a small parcel, as these levels are attractive. If it turns out to be the worst price you receive for the season, then it is still a good number.

Next Week/What does this mean?

The WASDE report is due on the 12th, however it is hard to see much in the way of surprises. I would expect Australia to be downgraded from 22.5mmt to 20-21mmt.

It is likely that an official announcement on wheat import duties into India will be announced in the next week.

NSW Sheep dive off a cliff and about to get wet

Posted on by Caitlin Dearden

Lamb prices have defied the odds to remain relatively steady for the fifth week straight.  It’s highly unusual for prices to trade in such a narrow range for so long, and there is no doubt they will break out at some stage.  Mutton prices haven’t had the same luxury, continuing to slide this week in spite of weather forecasts.

It’s been a strange week for mutton markets.  We must point out that Monday was a public holiday in NSW, which might have thrown indicators out a bit, but shouldn’t have accounted for the Mutton Indicator falling off a cliff.

Figure 1 shows NSW Mutton has gone from similar to last year’s levels, to just below the five year average, at 264¢/kg cwt.  NSW mutton is now half the price it was in early June.

The decline in mutton prices was not confined to NSW, in SA we saw a 93¢ decline to 265¢/kg cwt.  In Victoria mutton values were steady, gaining 3¢ to 373¢/kg cwt.  So either NSW and SA prices are way out of whack, or Victoria’s are, and normal trade flows will see prices converge in some way or another.

The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator (ESTLI) has defied downward pressure from mutton, and remained steady at 602¢/kg cwt.  The ESTLI has traded between 597¢ and 607¢ for five weeks and between 574 and 633¢ since the start of July.

It was the second week in October when the ESTLI fell off the cliff last year, and the weakening mutton values don’t paint a great picture for lamb over the coming weeks.

The week ahead

Figure 3 might see a bounce in mutton prices after this week’s fall.  A reasonably large proportion of the NSW sheep population will get pretty wet over the coming 8 days, while things will keep ticking along in Victoria.  It’s hard to see lamb values maintaining these values indefinitely, so if lambs are up to trade weight, the time to sell at 600¢ is running out.

ABARES forecasting record lamb prices

Posted on by Caitlin Dearden

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES) have put out their quarterly Agricultural Commodities Report, and amongst the numbers there were some interesting sheep and lamb forecasts.  This week we take a look at whether lamb prices can achieve another year on year increase, as predicted by ABARES.

We’ll get to the price forecasts, but first some interesting supply numbers.  ABARES are producing financial year forecasts, which are not directly compatible with Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) calendar year forecasts, but the differences are interesting.

ABARES are expecting a solid jump in the sheep flock this financial year, with the June 30 2018 flock pegged at 73.2 million head.  A flock of just above 73 million head would be a 3.2% increase on the June 2017 numbers, on the back of a 5% increase over the last year (figure 1).

MLA are forecasting a sheep flock of just 68 million head at the end of 2017 and 71 million for the end of 2018, so ABARES are much more bullish on the flock rebuild, forecasting a flock around 2 million head higher, and at a five year high.

ABARES expect the stronger flock to translate into stronger lamb slaughter.  Figure 1 shows that 2016-17 slaughter was at a three year low, but is expected to increase 2%, to almost match the 2014-15 lamb slaughter number.

Normally a forecast of a larger flock, and higher slaughter, would be accompanied by a lower price forecast.  ABARES are actually expecting lamb prices to rise, with the average for 17/18 to post a 5.6% increase to set a new record high of 625¢/kg cwt.

Figure 2 shows how lamb slaughter and financial year average prices have been related over recent years.  Demand has been increasing regularly, but the 16-17 price rise was due to tighter supply, not increased demand.

If ABARES slaughter forecast is correct, we’ll have to see demand increase to reach an annual average of 625¢/kg cwt.  Back in 14-15, when lamb slaughter was similar to that forecast for the coming year, prices were back at 518¢/kg cwt.

Key points:

  • ABARES quarterly commodity report is forecasting a five year high flock and increased slaughter rates.
  • The report also forecast a rise in lamb prices, despite higher supply.
  • An annual average of 625¢ would see highs over 700¢, and lows at around 550¢.

What does this mean?

If lamb prices average 625¢ in 2017-18 it will be a great year for lamb growers.  Normally the Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator (ESTLI) ranges around 75¢ around the average. The ABARES forecast would see the ESTLI reach highs of 700¢, and lows of 550¢, which is great money during the peak supply period.

Unfortunately we think the ABARES forecast might be a bit strong, and prices might average a bit lower.  We have however seen solid price resilience so far this spring in the face of increasing slaughter, so perhaps demand is stronger. Though it’s unlikely to be strong enough to counteract the higher slaughter rates forecast by ABARES.

Rain, supply and export prices provide a boost.

Posted on by Caitlin Dearden

The Mecardo team have been suggesting a price bounce was imminent for the last few weeks given the rainfall forecast, recovery in export prices and falling supply at the saleyards. But as the old trading adage goes, “even a broken clock gets it right twice a day” so we won’t puff out our chests too much on this one.

Figure 1 shows the rainfall for the week with much of Southern Queensland getting some reasonable action. This, along with the forecast of some further falls expected for NSW into October (according to the most recent BOM outlook), has given a bit of a boost to optimism here for producers and both NSW and Queensland responded this week with significant decreases to yardings.

Queensland cattle yardings were down 50% on the week, while NSW saw a 58% decline in numbers at the saleyard. This reduction in supply helping to push the weekly East coast yarding figure to the lowest it has been all season at just 24,818 head recorded – figure 2. This throughput measure is well below the normal range and sits 53% below the five-year average for this time of the season.

The decreased supply also evident in young cattle numbers with EYCI yardings also registering its lowest average weekly figures since September 2016 at just 9,537 head. Indeed, EYCI cattle throughput has fallen 50% over the last month and the reduced supply has given some support to prices this week. The EYCI recovering 5.4% to close at 533¢/kg cwt. The young cattle price boost was not limited to the East coast alone with the WYCI up a similar magnitude, staging a 5.8% increase to 558¢ – figure 3.

The week ahead

The recovery in the 90CL beef export price over the last few weeks signalled that young cattle prices were getting a bit undervalued; and all it took was a bit of rain and tightening supply to see the market find a base. The 90CL now sits at 589¢/kg CIF and reports out of the US indicate that both domestic and export demand is strong and feeding into higher grinding prices.

The prospect of steady to firmer export prices in the coming weeks and a better weather outlook for much of NSW should see cattle prices continue to be supported locally.

A contrarian wool market

Posted on by Caitlin Dearden

The “steady as she goes” reports on the wool market activity over recent weeks were thrown out the door at this week’s 2 day wool sale, with the market lifting significantly led by the Merino and including Cardings sections.

The Eastern Market Indicator for the week lifted 28 cents to close at 1,550 cents in A$ terms, while in US$ terms it rose 23 cents to 1,214.  The market in the west also had a strong positive lift, improving 38 cents to close at 1570 cents.

Crossbred wool bucked the trend with a disappointing week where falls of 10 to 20 cents were evident.

For the calendar year, the EMI has averaged in A$ 1506 cents, and in US$ 1153, so the current market good be referenced as a “Spring rally”.

As has been regularly reported by AWEX, wool with good specifications is attracting strong competition, and at times significant premiums, however when the market surges like it has this week the lesser quality wool also benefits. This was the case this week. The general MPG indicators in the Merino types all showed improvements of 20 – 60 cents, with only the limited superfine offering in Melbourne the exception.

This reinforces the case for active marketing of all types, but especially those types that exhibit faults or have lesser additional measurements. In this environment of tight supply, the risk of holding lines of wool that don’t meet the broker price expectation (passing-in lots) are not as great as usual; that is, reserving some of the lots offered for auction is an even sounder strategy than normal with the current market situation.

Last week Mecardo reported that the usual season pattern for the wool market in the Spring is negative, and the current move contrary to the norm. Does this reflect a new order for the wool market caused by tight supply, or is the market likely to revert and mirror previous seasons?

Whatever the future, one other point needs to be made regarding these sudden market moves. The best time to get the forward prices is always on an auction rally. This is most effectively achieved by having the wool broker place Good Till Cancelled (GTC) orders in the forward market for a portion of the future clip.

A total of 38,217 bales were cleared to the trade this week, with the pass-in rate of 3.6% was well below the season average of 7.6%.

The week ahead

A total of 9,716 bales are listed for sale next week across the three selling centres over 2 days. This is consistent for the next three weeks roster with around 40,000 predicted each week to be offered.

The surge in the market is enticing, and again shows the resilience of the wool market at this time. Again, barring and currency appreciation next week will again be a good week to be offering wool.

Are we on the verge of a La Nina event?

Posted on by Caitlin Dearden

The US Climate Prediction Centre, is currently on La Niña watch with an increased likelihood of the little sister to El Niño occurring before the end of the year, and into 2018. This can have very positive results for Australian grain growers, in this analysis we look at how we may benefit.

According to the BOM, ‘El Niño’s often lead to drier conditions over large parts of Australia, while La Niña’s tend to enhance rainfall over much of the continent’. However, it must be noted that not every drought is associated with El Niño nor every wet year with La Niña.

A visualisation of the impact can be viewed here.

In this analysis we have examined the El Niño and La Niña events which have been considered moderate to strong from 1960 to 2015 in order to determine what impact these events have on grain crops by analysing the year on year change in wheat production.

In figure 1, we see the year-on-year impact of El Niño split into east coast and west coast. In the period 1960-2015, 7 of 11 El Niño years have recorded a reduction in wheat production, with 6 of these years recording a > 20% reduction. In Western Australia the impact of El Niño has been less negative, with 6 out 11 event years recording an increase. However, only two of these years record > 20% increase. In addition, during the years of production decline, 3 of these years recorded large production falls of > 20%.

The year-on-year impact of La Niña is displayed on both the east and west coasts as highlighted in figure 2. In the period 1960-2015, there have been 8 La Niña events. The east coast during these La Niña events experienced 6 years where production has been higher, with 4 being >15% and 2 events where production reduced by >20%. The impact of La Niña in WA has caused 4 out of 8 years to have a production contraction, with 3 of those years having a >20% decline. The La Niña years with an increase in production in WA have resulted in smaller increases than the east coast with the exception of 1988.

In both figure 1 & 2, it is evident that since the mid 1980’s in Australia El Niño events have overall been negative for crop production and La Niña events have been positive, with the exception of 2010 in WA.

In figure 3, the year-on-year impact of La Niña & El Niño is detailed at a global level. During an El Niño year we can determine that production was reduced in 6 years out of 11, and increased in 5 years with no changes of more than 10% on a global level. During La Niña years, global production has increased in 3 out of 8 years, whilst production has decreased in 5 years.

At present, the market is not yet overly concerned with La Niña. However, it does have the potential to impact greatly on the US crop through drier weather and eastern Australia through wetter than average conditions. If La Niña starts to impact on the US crop production, then we are likely to see risk premiums emerge in US futures markets, which will flow on to our own prices.

Key points:

  • El Niño events tend to have a larger negative impact on east coast Australian production, with 6 out of 11 moderate to strong El Niño years recording >20% decrease.
  • La Niña events tend to result in increased production on the east coast, especially in events since the mid 1970’s which may be due to more efficient water use.
  • La Niña years in Western Australia tend to be more subdued with lower production gains, and a higher chance of reduced production.

What does this mean?
The market is looking for information to provide direction. The anxiety resulting from the potential for a La Niña can result in the formation of a risk premium in Chicago futures, as buyers seek to reduce risk from US related supply issues.

Australian growers would therefore benefit from a rise in futures prices.

Put it all on October rain

Posted on by Caitlin Dearden

It was only in mid-July that the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) broke through 600¢.  The downward spiral now has the EYCI looking down the barrel of a number with a four in the front.  There has finally been some positive news on the climatic front, however, which could and should provide some support, if it eventuates.

It has only taken ten weeks for the EYCI to lose 100¢.  Figure 1 shows what looks like an inevitable slide towards the 400s, with the EYCI this week sitting precariously at 505.5¢/kg cwt.  The slippery slope has been lubricated by relentless dry weather through most of NSW and Southern Queensland, but the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) suggests this might be about to change.

Figure 2 shows that the BOM are putting a 50-60% chance of much of the east coast receiving better than median rainfall from October to December.  For October the chances of exceeding median rainfall is even better.  There is a better than 55% chance of much of the east coast higher rainfall zones receiving 50mm or more.

It was feeder steers which managed to defy the trend this week, gaining 8 and 7¢ in NSW and Victoria respectively, to move back to 286 and 283¢/kg lwt.  It was trade steers that drove the EYCI lower.

More positive news was a solid rally in the 90CL Frozen Cow price, it gained 14¢ to hit a two month high of 580¢/kg swt.  Figure 3 shows the EYCI now at a 3 year low in terms of its discount to the 90CL, which used to be about as low as it would go.  From 2013-2015 that changed obviously.

The week ahead

There is hope of cattle prices finding some support, given that the discount to beef export values is starting to get extreme.  If the BOM’s forecast comes to fruition you could almost guarantee a 10-20% bounce in cattle prices.  But we have to see the actual rain first.  A betting grower would be buying cattle and putting it all on October rain, as it will provide a good payoff.

 

Futures a friend, basis a buddy and currency a companion

Posted on by Caitlin Dearden

The country sits on tender hooks, as we come to the end of September. The forecasts for the crop from ABARES and USDA seem to be wholly optimistic, and will see severe downward revisions after a terrible month for much of the growing regions.

The futures market had a strong rally mid-week, rising A$8/mt (figure 1) from last week, before shedding A$4 overnight. The market is largely directionless with a lack of fresh information. This evening the USDA will release their September stocks report, which the trade awaiting this to find new grounding.

The poor September on the east coast, has seen the market rally considerably. In figure 2, the flat price of APW1 in Geelong, Port Kembla and Kwinana has been plotted. As we can see Kwinana pricing has remained somewhat flat, and Geelong/Port Kembla has risen in line with one another due to the domestic demand in the north. Albeit still with a substantial premium of $40-45p/t in Port Kembla over Geelong.

The A$, although still high compared to the last year has dropped back below 79¢, helping the local price. In the past month we have seen iron ore futures (figure 3), start to slip which put pressure on the A$. As China drops demand after an intensive import program over the past few months will we see a further slide back down to 75¢

What does this mean?

This week we have basis, futures and currency all doing their bit to help returns for farmers.

The question remains how long these premiums will remain in the market. At present basis in Port Kembla is at +A$118, however the grower is largely holding back from selling. There will still be ample supply in the coming months to meet domestic demand, and this could result in a paring back of basis premiums albeit prices locally are expected to remain strong.

 

Markets hold despite elevated supply

Posted on by Caitlin Dearden

Fairly erratic moves to the state mutton prices this week but they all evened each other out to see the National Mutton Indicator just 3¢ softer to 370¢/kg cwt. Marginal prices changes the order of the week it seems with the Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator continuing to dance around the $6 area, posting a 5¢ gain to close at 603¢/kg cwt.

East coast sheep throughput remains above the 70% range and despite the elevated numbers the national price remained fairly steady on the week – figure 1. In stark contrast to the state saleyard mutton indicators which all had their share of action. Victorian mutton off 5.9% to 370¢, NSW mutton 8.5% lower to 376¢ and SA mutton recovering from last week’s price drop with a 27.4% gain to 358¢. In the West mutton replicating the SA experience with a 21.9% boost to 329¢, while Tasmanian mutton had a shocker with a 25.7% decline to 251¢/kg cwt.

East coast lamb throughput showing a similar story to sheep throughput with yardings remaining above the 70% range and quite elevated for this time of the year – figure 2. The high sheep throughput being held up by above average numbers at saleyards mainly centred in NSW. The lamb throughput supported by NSW and Victorian flows, the only two states with yarding figures trekking above average for this time of the season.

National lamb saleyard indicators somewhat mixed this week with Restocker lambs the star performer, boosted by a recovery in WA Restocker prices, to see it up 10% to $97 per head. Merino lambs the laggard, weighed down by Victorian Merino, to register a 3% fall to 523¢/kg cwt. National Trade and Heavy lamb managing to hold above the $6 mark, closing up 1% (604¢) and 2.2% (607¢), respectively.

The week ahead

The recent Victorian lamb yarding pattern suggest the beginning of the Spring flush is underway which is likely to start to see some price pressures for the ESTLI in the coming weeks. Although, the updated Bureau of Meteorology rainfall outlook for October (figure 3) signals a move to a much wetter NSW which will provide some welcome relief to producers there and price support on dips.