Grain and vegetable oil futures declined on expectations a potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would improve access to vital crop inputs, helping to ease the threat of food inflation brought on by the months-long war in the Middle East.
Politics
Trump Says US ‘Not Looking to Renew’ USMCA Trade Agreement
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the U.S. might not renew its free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico and criticized trade deficits with those countries, although he said he was talking with their leaders about the matter.
Urea Prices Return to Pre-Iran War Levels in the U.S.
The Iran war risk premium that swept through crop and fertilizer markets is rapidly evaporating as fears of prolonged supply disruptions fade. Prices for granular urea in New Orleans dropped to $453.50 per short ton, the lowest level since Feb. 6, according to Friday data from Bloomberg Green Markets. That’s down 36% from mid-April.
Screwworm Confirmed in New Mexico for First Time
The USDA confirmed an additional three cases of New World screwworm — including the first outside of Texas, in New Mexico — bringing the total number of detections in the US to five and raising concerns over a broader spread of the parasite.
Canada Bans Texas Livestock Imports After Second Screwworm Case
A second case of the flesh-eating New World screwworm has been confirmed in South Texas, intensifying concerns among agricultural officials and prompting Canada to suspend livestock imports from Texas as authorities mount an aggressive response to prevent the parasite from spreading deeper into the United States.
80% of USDA Food Assistance Workers Say They Won’t Relocate
The National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 226, which represents Food and Nutrition Service employees, says more than 80% of staff who took an internal survey claim they will not relocate to keep their jobs. Another union survey of other USDA employees tapped to relocate found similar results.
China Placing New US Soybean Orders, USDA’s Vaden Says
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden said he expects China to honor its pledge to buy more American soybeans this year. Vaden said at The Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum that China has started placing orders for soybeans that are being planted right now across the U.S.
Trump Cuts Tariffs on Ag Equipment to 15%
President Donald Trump on Monday moved to reduce tariffs on heating and cooling equipment and certain heavy industrial and agricultural goods, as well as cutting levies on products from abroad made with American metals. The move is the latest by the Trump administration to limit the collateral damage of its trade wars.
China’s Retaliatory Tariffs Cost US Ag Exporters $15 Billion, Study Says
China’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods wiped out an estimated $14.9 billion in export sales over a 12-month period, according to a new North Dakota State University analysis, with soybeans taking the biggest hit.
Trump Defends Chinese Purchases of U.S. Farmland
President Donald Trump defended Chinese purchases of U.S. farmland during a trip to Beijing (last) week, arguing that restricting foreign ownership would hurt American farmers by driving down land values. Trump’s Beijing comments appear to conflict with policies his administration itself promoted over the last year.
China to Buy $17 Billion in US Farm Goods Annually
China will purchase at least $17 billion in U.S. agricultural products annually through 2028, in addition to soybean commitments already agreed to, the White House said in a fact sheet released Sunday. The announcement followed President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing last week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and was among the few concrete deliverables from a summit Trump had pitched in March as a ‘monumental event.’
US Expects “Double-Digit Billions” of Ag Purchases from China
The United States expects China to sign up to buy ‘double-digit billions’ worth of U.S. farm goods following a summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday.
House Passes Bill to Allow Year-Round Sales of E15
The U.S. House passed legislation on Wednesday that would allow nationwide year‑round sales of gasoline containing 15% ethanol, handing a major win to biofuel producers and farm groups while raising concerns among refiners about higher compliance costs. The proposal (now) faces an uphill battle in the Senate due to entrenched opposition from oil-state lawmakers.
Any US-China Summit Ag Deal Will Likely Be Limited, Experts Say
Farmers broadly expect an agriculture deal to be made at this week’s US-China summit, but enthusiasm is waning that it will be large enough to transform tough economic conditions. They’re also more resigned to US crops becoming a chip in trade negotiations rather than part of an open market.
76% of USDA Researchers Tell Union They Won’t Relocate
USDA relocated hundreds of ERS and NIFA positions to Kansas City in 2019, but about 85% of impacted employees quit their jobs or retired, rather than relocate. The American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403, which represents USDA researchers, expects to see similar results this year. An internal survey conducted by the union found that 76% of its members have indicated they are not planning to relocate.
DOJ Reaches Settlement with Agri Stats Over Meat Price-Fixing
The U.S. Department of Justice and six states settled their antitrust lawsuit against data company Agri Stats on Thursday in a move DOJ officials said would lower meat prices for consumers.
DOJ Confirms Antitrust Probe Into Beef Processors
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Monday confirmed a Justice Department investigation into major beef processors for potential antitrust violations and separately teased that the agency has neared a settlement in its case against Agri Stats.
Senate Targeting Late May, Early June for Farm Bill Markup
All eyes are shifting to the Senate following the House passage of a farm bill Thursday. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman, R-Ark., is targeting the end of May or early June for a bill markup as Democrats prepare for fights on pesticides and food assistance.
House Passes Farm Bill Without E15, Pesticide Protections
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed its newest version of the farm bill in a 224-200 vote without including provisions to allow for year-round E15 sales. The vote came after lawmakers also voted to strip provisions from the bill that would have benefited the pesticide industry.
Iran War Impacts Boost US Agribusiness 2026 Outlooks
Soaring crude oil markets have pushed soybean oil prices to the loftiest levels in more than three years, a boon for oilseed processors like Bunge Global and Archer Daniels Midland, which have seen North American soy crush margins swell to their highest since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.