Author: Michael Ferrari, PhD
VP, Applied Technology & Research
The first two maps below (from USDA) highlight the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, or NDVI, for sugarcane growing regions in India’s northern states; the third map (Indian Met Dept) is the seasonal monsoon totals (through 22 Sept).  We have noted that the 2010 monsoon has been beneficial for [...]

Author: Michael Ferrari, PhD
VP, Applied Technology & Research
For some time, we have known about the positive relationship between La Nina-like conditions and milk production for US herds.  During an El Nino, conditions for much of the US may tend to be warmer and wetter, and as dairy cows exhibit sensitivity to heat stress and/or muddy [...]

Author: Michael Ferrari, PhD
VP, Applied Technology & Research
 

Spot raw sugar futures exhibited another week of very strong performance last week, as the OCT contract started the week off around 21 cents, and traded progressively higher through the 23 cent barrier by Friday’s session. OCT is currently around 23. Another week of y/y dry [...]

Spot raw sugar futures are currently trading above 21 cents/#; these are the highest trading levels for the sweetener since March.  The weather  conditions in northern India are starting to improve, although the seasonal rainfall totals in Uttar Pradesh are still well behind what is  needed, and [...]

Author: Michael Ferrari, PhD
VP, Applied Technology & Research
Readers of this column should no doubt be aware of our bias towards the importance of India with respect to the amount of physical sugar that is available to the world market at any given time.  We have stated numerous times that the sub-optimal pattern with respect to [...]