Corn Futures End Mixed – USDA Planting Data in Focus

Old crop corn prices posted modest gains on Friday, while new crop contracts remained under pressure. Traders are positioning ahead of Monday’s high-impact USDA reports.

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The corn market was volatile but settled mixed on Friday.

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📈 Market Situation & Price Development

🇺🇸 CBOT (U.S. Market)

➡ May futures hit a 3-month low before recovering by the session’s end.

🇪🇺 Euronext (EU Market)

➡ European prices posted a second consecutive weekly loss.

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🔍 Key Market Drivers

• 📊 USDA Reports (April 1):
  • Acreage Expectations (Reuters survey):
    • Avg: 94.4 million acres of corn (vs. 90.6 in 2024)
    • Range: 92.5 – 96.6 million acres
  • Grain Stocks Estimate (March 1):
    • Expected: 8.153 billion bu
    • 2024: 8.352 billion bu
• 📉 CFTC Fund Positioning (as of March 25):
  • Managed money cut 32,663 contracts
  • Net-long now at 74,607 contracts
  • Sentiment remains bearish

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☁️ 14-Day Weather Trend (Key Growing Regions)

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🌍 Global Corn Production & Stocks

➡ Global fundamentals remain comfortable, but attention is shifting toward new crop acreage.

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📊 Corn Production – 3-Year Comparison (Top 5 Producers)

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💡 Trading Recommendations & Market Assessment

• 📉 Bearish tone dominates, with funds continuing to sell
• 📊 Short-term correction possible, but limited upside until USDA confirms acreage data
• ⚠️ Volatility likely on Monday – traders advised to stay cautious

🧭 Strategy: Hold off on aggressive positions until after USDA release. Watch for a possible buy-the-news recovery if bearish expectations are priced in.

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🔮 3-Day Price Forecast (April 1–3)

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