Middle East news

Thai rice up 25%, wheat swings 40 EUR in a month: grains reprice across the board

Thai rice prices rose between 16 and 25 percent in May, with parboiled rice A1 leading the move from 220.73 to 275.61 USD/mt. But the month was not only a...

Cocoa rally fades as weak demand meets a bigger Ivorian crop

Cocoa opened last week with a strong rally and then gave it back over consecutive down days, a pattern Martijn Bron attributes to the volatility of the...

Ocean freight tightens as June peak-season surcharges hit every carrier

Container shipping is under more pressure than at any point since the Red Sea crisis, and the squeeze is coming from several directions at once, according...

Vegetable oils ease with Brent on stalled Iran-US talks

Brent crude (July) closed the week at $104/barrel, down from $114 the prior week and recovered from a $100 low reached on signs of progress in Iran-US peace ...

California almond shipments beat March expectations, Turkey absorbs Middle East rerouting

California almond shipments outperformed expectations in March. Total shipments reached 257.99 million lbs, well above industry estimates of around 225...

Cocoa futures climb on El Niño concerns despite record surplus outlook

London July cocoa futures have risen by approximately 10% over the past two weeks, driven by FMCG buying tied to El Niño headlines, despite the 2025/26...

El Niño risk reshapes sugar's 2026/27 supply outlook

Raw sugar edged higher this week, supported by Brazil's planned anhydrous ethanol blending rate increase from 30% to 32% (pending formal approval at a CNPE...

Soy and palm oils lead vegetable oil gains on biofuel policy and crude rebound

Soybean oil and palm oil led gains across the vegetable oil complex last week, supported by a rebound in Brent crude and further reinforcement of biofuel...

Energy costs drive starch prices higher across wheat, corn and tapioca

Wheat, tapioca and corn starch prices all rose month on month in April, with rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict putting pressure on...

Coffee futures climb to $2.96/lb on ceasefire news

July contract rallies after testing support The most active contract shifted from May to July this week ahead of the first notice day. The July contract...

Vegetable oils slip lower on ceasefire optimism and weaker crude

All major oils lower BMD crude palm oil declined to $1,120/mt from $1,176/mt. CBOT soybean oil fell to 66.5 US cents/lb from 69.95 cents. MATIF rapeseed...

Coffee prices break below $2.90/lb support on Middle East uncertainty

Coffee futures ended the week at 286 US cents per pound, down 12.35 cents from the prior Tuesday, as a deteriorating risk environment weighed on prices....

Cocoa grindings extend decline with chocolate demand under sustained pressure

Cocoa grindings are on track to remain well below historical levels through the 2025/26 season, with the latest data pointing to continued volume pressure...

Middle East conflict drives Brazilian chicken prices higher

Brazilian chicken meat prices have reversed sharply in week 14, ending a bearish trend that had held for several months. Whole bird and cut prices rose...

Cocoa prices stage end-of-quarter rally, but cost pressures cloud the chocolate outlook

Cocoa prices rallied sharply at the end of March, with EU futures gaining 7% in a single session to close at £2,487/mt for the front month May 2026...

Grains hold firm on crude oil support, but markets watch for de-escalation signals

Grain prices across wheat, corn, barley, and soybeans remained elevated this week, with Brent crude oil continuing to provide the primary source of support. ...

Sugar prices edge higher on crude oil rally, but fundamentals stay soft

Sugar prices moved modestly higher this week, driven almost entirely by the sharp rise in crude oil rather than any change in underlying supply and demand...

Coffee futures break above $3/lb as tight supply and energy costs provide support

Coffee futures prices basis the most active May contract rose 14.15 cents over the week to close at USD 3.07/lb, breaking above the USD 3.00/lb level for...

EU sugar beet farmers face higher costs as energy prices climb

European sugar beet growers are heading into the 2026 planting season with a more challenging cost environment, as diesel and gas prices rise in the wake of ...

Philippine biofuel policy uncertainty weighs on coconut oil prices

Coconut oil prices at origin fell sharply this week, with the EXW Manila benchmark declining to $1,918/mt from $2,271/mt previously, as biofuel producers in ...

Fuel surcharges climb and containers pile up as Strait of Hormuz disruption deepens

The ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is creating mounting pressure across global ocean and air freight markets, with emergency fuel surcharges...

Corn and wheat prices climb on energy costs and tighter 2026 supply forecasts

Corn and wheat prices have moved higher over the past two weeks, supported by rising Brent crude oil prices and downward revisions to 2026 global supply...

NFDM prices approach 10-year highs as US supply tightens

US non-fat dry milk (NFDM) prices have continued their upward run, rising a further USD 0.08/lb compared to a week ago, a 4.53% increase. Prices are now...

NFDM prices approach 10-year highs despite record milk surplus

Non-fat dry milk prices rose a further 4.53% this week, leaving them just $0.055/lb below 10-year highs. The move comes against a backdrop of surging milk...

Record Brazilian exports push global poultry prices lower

Global poultry markets are heading into the final week of March under a broadly bearish price signal, with both Brazilian and Thai origins posting...

Wholesale beef prices rally sharply, but correction seen ahead

Wholesale beef prices have been climbing at a rapid pace, with the choice cutout value up nearly $30 over the past three weeks. Every part of the carcass is ...

Palm oil prices climb on B50 speculation and supply concerns

BMD crude palm oil prices rose to $1,176/mt this week, up from $1,123/mt the previous week, supported by a combination of supply-side developments,...

European butter forecast: rangebound in H1 2026, with recovery expected as milk tightens in H2

European butter markets are entering 2026 with ample supply. Strong milk production throughout 2025, particularly in the second half of the year, has...

European chicken market forecast 2026: prices fall on Brazilian import increase, avian flu risk persists

After the lifting of the ban on Brazilian poultry, chicken meat prices in Europe have decreased significantly. The price decrease started around November...

European dairy market forecast 2026: milk, butter, smp, wmp, swp, cheeses

The European dairy market in 2026 is not one market, it's a collection of very different stories depending on which product you're buying. Some categories...

European raw milk forecast: strong flush adds supply pressure across dairy markets in H1 2026

European raw milk production delivered strong volumes throughout 2025, with output accelerating particularly in the second half of the year. That momentum...

Lauric oils forecast 2026: prices retreat from 2025 peaks as coconut supply recovery approaches

Prices for lauric oils have declined from their 2025 peaks as the market awaits improved coconut oil supply. The International Coconut Community expects...

Palm oil market forecast 2026: record Malaysian stocks weigh on prices despite Brent crude support

The BMD crude palm oil price has increased to USD 1,096/mt from USD 975/mt at the beginning of the year, supported by higher Brent crude prices, strong...

Pizza, pasta, savory snack forecast: flour, tomate, chicken, beef, pork, mozzarella, olive oil

For food manufacturers in pizza, pasta, and snacks, H2 2026 brings a mix of near-term stability and building supply-side risks. Some key ingredients are...

Rapeseed oil price forcast 2026: Brent crude drives near-term gains, harvest pressure expected from Q2

Crude rapeseed oil prices (FOB Dutch Mill) increased to EUR 1,117/mt from EUR 1,030/mt in January, supported by strong prices for competing vegetable oils...

Rapeseed oil price forecast 2026: Brent crude drives near-term gains, harvest pressure expected from Q2

Crude rapeseed oil prices (FOB Dutch Mill) increased to EUR 1,117/mt from EUR 1,030/mt in January, supported by strong prices for competing vegetable oils...

SMP market forecast 2026: US production shortfall pulls international buyers toward Europe

The global skim milk powder market has shifted significantly from what was expected at the start of 2026. Rather than a supply-heavy, export-dependent...

Sunflower oil market forecast 2026: prices firm on tight supply as Argentine shipments to Europe surge

FOB 6-port crude sunflower oil prices have increased to USD 1,485/mt from around USD 1,400/mt at the beginning of the year, supported by tight supply...

Sweet whey powder forecast 2026: European prices overtake US levels as costs rise and Middle East demand accelerates

Sweet whey powder is showing a clear divide between Europe and the United States in early 2026, and that regional divergence has become the defining feature ...

Vegetable oil market forecast: olive, rapeseed, soybean, sunflower, palm, coconut, palm kernel oil

The oils and fats market in 2026 is being pulled in two directions at once. On one side, crop-level fundamentals, large harvests, record stocks in certain...

Supply tightens and shipments slow across tree nut markets

Cashew prices are on the move, Brazil nut supply is tightening and pecan shipments are down 35% year-on-year. Get the full tree nuts...

US dairy exports hit records as American product finds new markets worldwide

US butterfat exports are up 166% year-on-year and cheese exports have broken records. Find out what is driving US dairy markets and...

Tight skimmed milk powder supply supports global prices

Global skimmed milk powder prices remain supported as limited supply in the US and Oceania meets steady import demand and rising exports...

Vegetable oils rise with Brent before sharp reversal

Vegetable oil prices follow volatile Brent crude moves as palm, soy, rapeseed and sunflower markets react to energy swings and Middle...

Cocoa sector turmoil deepens in Ivory Coast and Ghana

Cocoa sector disruption in Ivory Coast and Ghana deepens as falling prices, unsold beans and payment delays strain farmers and buyers...

Coffee futures slip below $3/lb as supply improves, Middle East conflict adds volatility

Arabica coffee futures fell to $2.83/lb as certified stock availability improved and roasters held back purchases. The Middle East conflict...

Ivory Coast brings forward mid-crop season in bid to clear unsold cocoa stocks

Ivory Coast has reclassified March cocoa production as mid-crop, sharply reducing farmgate prices to move unsold stocks. The bearish market...

Middle East conflict pushes vegetable oil prices higher as freight costs climb

Brent crude's rise following Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz is lifting vegetable oil prices across the board, with freight...

How Middle East conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruption could impact food commodity market

Explores how Middle East tensions and potential Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions could indirectly influence food commodity markets...

South American supply boom reshapes corn oil trade flows

A record harvest in Argentina and strong Brazilian crop estimates are keeping corn oil prices under pressure, while Middle East demand and...

Shipping rates from Asia to Europe climb 3-4% on major routes

Shipping rates from Asia to Europe increased 3-4% on major routes as carriers manage capacity and 2026 contract negotiations begin.

Chocolate demand pressures mount with Singles Day spending decline

Cocoa prices fell over 9% this week as Singles Day spending dropped 20% and Barry Callebaut reported 5.3% decline in chocolate volumes...

Corn oil prices rise $60-130/MT as Middle East tensions drive up energy and shipping Costs

Corn oil prices increase $60-130/MT from June levels, while global corn production reaches record 1.265 billion metric tons.

US-EU trade tensions: impact on dairy, olive oil, and baked goods

US President Donald Trump's proposal to impose 30% tariffs on European goods and the EU’s proposed countermeasures

Sugar prices under pressure as energy markets shift: What traders need to know

Sugar futures decline as oil prices drop and energy-ethanol dynamics shift. Get expert analysis on Brazil production and EU crop risks.

Vegetable oils market declines as Middle East tensions cool

Palm oil, soy oil, and rapeseed prices fall as crude oil drops $5/barrel amid Israel-Iran ceasefire. Get Vesper's Week 26 market analysis.

Biodiesel prices strengthen on geopolitical tensions and EPA mandate boost

Biodiesel markets strengthen as Iran conflict drives energy costs higher and EPA proposes 5.61B gallon biofuel targets.

Vegetable oil prices surge as geopolitical tensions and biofuel mandates drive market volatility

Vegetable oil markets surge as Brent crude hits $73.23/barrel amid Israel-Iran conflict and EPA proposes higher biofuel targets.

Vegetable oils market analysis – week 8: palm oil prices drop amid lower Indian imports

Palm oil prices drop as India’s imports hit a 14-year low, while Indonesia’s exports surge. Get the latest market insights.

How the Dairy Market is Reacting to Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Germany: Impact on Butter, SMP, and WMP Exports and Prices

Explore how foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Germany is disrupting the dairy market. Get insights on the impact on butter, SMP, and WMP prices

How Middle East Tensions Are Shaping the Biodiesel and Feedstock Markets

Explore the latest trends in the EU biodiesel and feedstock markets, influenced by fluctuations in LSGO prices amid Middle East tensions.

Palm Oil Hits Yearly High Amid Surging Brent Crude Prices

Palm oil prices hit a yearly high as Brent crude oil surges by 12.1%, driven by Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions.

Weather Drives Volatility in CBOT Soybean Prices: Discover Vesper's AI-Driven Price Forecasts for the Next Six Months

Discover how weather and geopolitical events are impacting CBOT soybean prices, and learn what Vesper's price forecasts are predicting.

GDT Auction Sees Modest Increase in Price Index, Driven by Fats and Cheddar

The latest GDT auction shows a modest 0.4% increase in the price index, driven by milk fats and cheddar, while milk powders declined.

European biodiesel prices are strengthening due to strong LSGO prices

Discover how rising LSGO demand and potential Dutch policy changes are driving up European biodiesel prices.

The Relationship between Biodiesel Prices Increases and Used Cooking Oil

Discover the latest dynamics in the EU biodiesel market with a notable uptick in prices across RME, UCOME, and FAME0 indices.

Palm Oil and Soybean Oil Prices: Latest Updates and Future Projections

Stay updated on palm oil and soybean oil prices, with insights from the latest MPOB report and impact of mineral oil price.

Biodiesel market update: Growing interest to buy, yet making consensus on pricing remains a challenge

Biodiesel market update: Explore the impact of higher LSGO prices and buying demand on the biodiesel complex

Vegetable oil market update: Global palm oil and soybean oil prices up on bullish MPOB and neutral-slightly bullish WASDE report

Vegetable oil market update: Discover the impact of increased Brent Crude Oil prices and bullish MPOB and WASDE report on prices

Unfavourable weather conditions in the US and increased exports of palm oil from Malaysia firm prices

Crude palm oil prices rise on Malaysian exports and global factors, but a shift to bearish sentiment looms amidst economic concerns.

Where will fuel prices go in 2023 with Lula or Bolsonaro?

Whether under Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) or Jair Bolsonaro (PL), the next president of the Republic will have to deal, in 2023, with a reality of high...

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