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Markets Print edition: 2020-04-24

Raw sugar edges higher

Published Updated

Raw sugar futures on ICE edged higher on Thursday, boosted partly by gains in crude oil, while coffee prices also advanced but cocoa eased slightly.

May raw sugar was up 0.04 cent, or 0.4%, at 9.87 cents per lb at 1344 GMT. The front month fell to a low of 9.55 cents on Tuesday, its lowest since June 2008.

Dealers said a rise in crude oil prices provided some support although the recent weakness of Brazil's currency remained a bearish influence.

Brazilian Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias said on Wednesday that within two days the government would announce support measures for the sugarcane and ethanol sector, as the sector is hit by sliding global fuel prices.

August white sugar fell $0.50, or 0.15%, to $324.10 a tonne.

July New York cocoa fell $8, or 0.3%, to $2,367 a tonne with the market turning lower after equalling the prior session's two-week high of $2,387.

Asia's first quarter grind fell a marginal 0.5% from the same quarter a year earlier while Europe's grind actually rose by 0.9%, year-on-year.

North America's first quarter grind, however, fell a more substantial 5.1% year-on-year.

July London cocoa was down 4 pounds, or 0.2%, 1,896 pounds a tonne.

Ivory Coast will create a cocoa-processing fund worth 10 billion CFA francs ($16.7 million) to help domestic grinders compete against long-dominant international players, the government spokesman said on Wednesday.

July arabica coffee rose 1.75 cents, or 1.6%, to $1.1380 per lb.

July robusta coffee was up $24, or 2.1%, at $1,145 a tonne.