China has been a big part of the market turmoil over the last several weeks.
Analyst Mike Zuzolo says many traders are operating under the belief that a deal will soon be reached. However, he is not so sure, saying that the people President Trump has chosen to negotiate trade with have their hearts in rural America.
“Almost all of them come from the same background of the middle part of the country and have seen their towns or cities hollowed out, manufacturing hollowed out, and I think the proof is in the pudding at this point of what he’s willing to do, even if it means, as he would say, short-term pain for long-term gain.”
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China-led demand continues to anchor soybean and sorghum exports despite weekly swings.
Global pork production is expected to rise in the first half of 2026, despite trade volatility stemming from shifting import policies and swine disease pressures.
Economists are also closely watching how policy decisions in Washington could influence markets moving forward. Analysts say deferred futures for corn, soybeans, and wheat suggest markets are operating near break-even levels, not at prices that would encourage expanded production.
Strong rail demand and higher fuel costs raise transportation risk even as barge and export flows stabilize.
Traders say that shift could eventually prompt the USDA to scale back soybean export projections, noting the outlook differs greatly for other grain commodities.
Often overlooked, cotton wholesalers act as stabilizers during market stress, translating fragmented retail demand into workable production programs for mills and manufacturers.
