Wheat ends at 3-year peak as poor weather cuts global crops

CHICAGO: US wheat futures jumped more than 3 percent on Monday and closed at their highest in three years on concerns about tightening global supplies as harsh weather slashed harvest prospects around the world.

Corn firmed on eroding crop conditions in the United States and on spillover support from wheat.

Soybeans fell as hardening rhetoric in a trade dispute between Washington and Beijing stoked fears of a lengthy disruption of massive U.S. exports to China.

Traders are also taking positions ahead of Friday's U.S. Department of Agriculture supply and demand report, which is expected to show tightening world supplies of wheat following poor crop weather in Europe, the Black Sea region, Canada and Australia.

"You've got too many weather issues in too many areas around the world," said Don Roose, president of Iowa-based U.S. Commodities. "The trade is fearful that the USDA will see tighter (world wheat) supplies and maybe even better U.S. exports."

Chicago Board of Trade September soft red winter wheat gained 18-1/4 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $5.74-1/2 a bushel, the highest closing price for a front-month contract since July 14, 2015. September hard red winter wheat futures added 18-3/4 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $5.86 a bushel.

CBOT September corn was up 1-1/4 cents at $3.71 a bushel, while new-crop December futures were up 1 cent at $3.85-1/4.

Weeks of dry weather around the U.S. Midwest corn belt has dragged down corn yield prospects. Analysts on average expect the USDA to report a drop in crop ratings in the latest week.

Soy crop conditions are also seen declining, but prices for the oilseed remain anchored by concerns about a deepening trade war with China.

Chinese state media reported that the country could cut its soybean imports by 10 million tonnes this year by relying instead on other feed sources like sunflower and palm.

September soybeans fell to $8.82-3/4 a bushel and new-crop November soybeans ended at $8.93-1/2, both down 8-3/4 cents.

"The soybean price is under pressure ... due to growing fears that the trade dispute with China could develop into a prolonged trade war," Commerzbank commodity analysts said in a note.

After China proposed retaliatory tariffs on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods on Friday, state media on Monday launched a personal attack on U.S. President Donald Trump, casting further doubt on the prospect of a negotiated settlement to the trade standoff.