AGS WEEK AHEAD: Agriculture Enters Bullish Seasonal Stretch of the Year

By Giulia Petroni

A roundup of key agricultural commodity markets for the week of Jan. 5-9 by Dow Jones Newswires in Barcelona.

GRAINS & OILSEEDS: The broader macroeconomic backdrop is mixed as traders await December's U.S. nonfarm payrolls data on Friday. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index is strong, while the U.S. decision to intervene in Venezuela has added another layer of uncertainty to global markets.

Seasonal patterns turn supportive in early January, marking the most historically bullish 60-day window of the year for the agriculture complex, with prices typically rising from mid-December through mid-February, according to Peak Trading Research.

Traders will see commitments of traders (COT) data released on Monday, reflecting positions as of Dec. 30, followed by the first fully "normal" Tuesday-Friday reporting cycle on Friday, Jan. 9, based on data from Jan. 6.

Meanwhile, weather conditions are mostly non-threatening, with near-term risks continuing to ease, analysts at the firm said. Brazil forecasts remain broadly favorable, as adequate-to-above-normal rainfall supports soybean development in key northern areas, while southern regions experience a brief dry spell before additional moisture returns. In Argentina, conditions are improving, with moderating temperatures and increasing rain chances around mid-January.

Corn demand remains supportive, as competitive U.S. exports into Asia and recent flash sales help offset softer futures performance. Wheat demand is steady but lacks momentum, constrained by ample global supplies and limited urgency from importers. Soybean demand has softened at the start of the year, with focus increasingly shifting to South America, Peak Trading Research said.

Chicago wheat futures rose 0.9% to $5.11 a bushel in European afternoon trading Monday, while corn was up 1.2% to $4.43 a bushel. Soybean prices gained 1.4% to $10.60 a bushel.

SOFT COMMODITIES: Coffee prices rose 0.3% to $3.58 a pound, while cocoa climbed 3.5% to $6,075 a ton, even as markets anticipate a surplus amid improved supply and softer demand. High prices last season had dampened consumption, and analysts expect buyers to remain cautious. Sugar rose 0.7% to 15 cents a pound.

Write to Giulia Petroni at giulia.petroni@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 05, 2026 11:36 ET (16:36 GMT)

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