El Niño: the impact on agricultural commodities

El Niño: the impact on agricultural commodities WisdomTreeEl Niño refers to a climate cycle in the Pacific Ocean that has a global impact on weather patterns. The name, which loosely translates to ‘Christ child’, traces its origin back to Peruvian fisherman in the 1600s, who observed that fish yields would often decline around Christmas time as sea water temperatures rose. The effects of El Niño include specific wind patterns across the Pacific Ocean, heavy rain in South America, and droughts in Australia and parts of Asia including India and Indonesia.

With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasting a 96% probability of an El Niño weather event during the current Northern Hemisphere winter, there is a strong chance that we could see some weather abnormalities in the coming months.

Figure 1. The probability of El Niño occurring this year

Why El Niño matters for agricultural commodity prices

El Niño can have a significant impact on the fortunes of the agricultural industry, as the growing of agricultural products is highly sensitive to weather patterns. The right amount of sun and rain at the right time is important to produce the optimal yield. For example, droughts can ruin a crop because of insufficient water, while floods can wash away plants, or delay the process of harvesting a good crop from the ground, causing it to spoil.

While El Niño can have a considerable effect on agricultural commodity prices, the specific impact on the price of any individual commodity will depend on the El Niño’s amplitude and timing, as well as locational factors such as where the crop is grown and how prepared the farmers are for extreme conditions.

Figure 2. Weather impact of El Niño

Source: NOAA

Analysing the impact on agricultural commodity prices

When assessing likely El Niño effects, the first step is to consider the time of the year that El Niño is likely to begin. In this case, the NOAA believes that the event is likely to arrive in the Northern Hemisphere winter this year, but there is a good chance that it could linger into the Northern Hemisphere summer with a lower intensity. The next step is to assess which part of the crop cycle it will affect. According to research by Iizumi et al., a weather disturbance during the ‘reproductive’ growth period of the crop cycle tends to have the largest impact on crop yields.

Using insights from Iizumi et al. we have assessed the possible near-term impact from an El Niño on crops that are in the reproductive phase of growth. We summarise our key thoughts below:

Bullish on sugar, cocoa, and wheat

Agricultural commodities that we are bullish on in the event of an El Niño include sugar, cocoa, and wheat.

Sugar production is highly concentrated in India and certain regions of Brazil. If El Niño occurs, it’s likely that both countries could see below-average rainfall and drier conditions, and this could drive prices higher.

Indonesia, which produces 10% of global cocoa supply, could also be directly affected by an El Niño, and dry warm weather in Indonesia could potentially drive cocoa prices higher.

Australia, which produces 4% of global wheat supply, is another country that could face dry weather if El Niño emerges. This could have a positive impact on wheat prices, although much of the wheat harvest is expected to be completed by mid-January, which should limit the impact of an El Niño.

Bearish on soybean, corn and Arabica coffee

In contrast, we are bearish on soybean, corn, and Arabica coffee.

Brazil and Argentina, who together are responsible for almost half of the world’s soybean supply, are likely to experience favourable growing conditions in the event of an El Niño. As such, an El Niño could prove to be price negative for soybean prices.

Figure 3. The effect of El Niño on soybean growing during the December to March reproductive growth phase

Source: Adapted by WisdomTree from “Impacts of Southern Oscillation on the global yields of major crops” by Iizumi et al, May 2014

Forecasts are not an indicator of future performance and any investments are subject to risks and uncertainties.

The effects of El Niño on corn are less significant, but could be mildly positive for growing conditions in South America and parts of Australia, and hence slightly price bearish.

Arabica coffee production is highly concentrated in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Central America. These countries could experience favourable growing conditions, and given that most of the coffee in these regions will be in a reproductive growth phase in the months ahead, we could see a positive supply shock to the commodity, which would be bearish for prices.

Other factors

We caution that the analysis above is based on the pure effect of an El Niño event and does not consider the many other factors that can impact crop yields. We’ll also point out that agricultural commodity prices can be affected by a number of other developments such as exchange-rate movements and trade policies. However, the analysis is useful as a rough guide as to how commodity prices could potentially be affected if we do experience an El Niño event in the near term.

DISCLAIMER

The content on this document is issued by WisdomTree UK Ltd (“WTUK”), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”). Our Conflicts of Interest Policy and Inventory are available on request.

Time to short sugar, coffee and soybeans

Time to short sugar, coffee and soybeans

ETF Securities Commodity Research – Time to short sugar, coffee and soybeans

Summery

  • Sugar, coffee and soybeans have made spectacular returns this year, but much of their gains have been driven by currency movements, particularly the Brazilian Real.
  • With record production of Arabica coffee and soybeans expected in 2016/17 and a narrowing deficit in sugar, the rally is likely to come under pressure.
  • If the Brazilian Real remains stable, we expect fundamentals to prevail and the price of these sugar, coffee and soybeans to decline.

Brazilian Real drives rally

The El Niño weather pattern led to a failed monsoon in India and unseasonably wet weather in South America in 2015/16. However at the time of onset of the adverse weather, the price of sugar, coffee and soy made only muted moves. The sharp depreciation of the Brazilian Real weighed on their performance as stocks of these commodities could be sold in US Dollars, providing millers and farmers with improved margins. When the Brazilian Real started to appreciate we saw the price of the commodities make substantial returns. Year-to-date, sugar, coffee and soybeans have returned 35%, 19% and 25% respectively.
(Click to enlarge)

Weather patterns changing

The El Niño of 2015 was one of the most extreme on record by some measures, but the impacts of the weather phenomenon should be largely behind us now. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts that the opposite weather phenomenon, La Niña, will emerge by the Northern Hemisphere autumn with a probability of 75%. La Niña involves a cooling of the Pacific Ocean (in a similar manner to El Niño warming the ocean), which changes trade winds and weather patterns from what is considered to be normal. Broadly speaking, areas that were excessively warm and dry in El Niño are likely to turn cool and wet in a La Niña. We assessed the likely impacts of La Niña emerging in autumn/winter (see Opportunity to short agriculture with La Niña) which highlights that the weather phenomenon is likely to be price negative for many crops with the exception of sugar. Cooler Southern Hemisphere temperatures are likely to reduce the heat damage that we have seen in the past crop. Sugar maybe an exception as cooler, wetter weather could reduce the sucrose content of cane in Brazil.
(Click to enlarge)

Record coffee production

After two consecutive years of production decline, coffee output is expected to rebound to an all-time high. Brazil, which produces approximately 45% of global Arabica supplies has seen favourable rain during the flowering of its coffee bushes, setting the scene for a healthy crop. Although the beginning of the harvest has been slowed by rain, current dry and warm weather should allow for field work to catch up. Brazilian output is expected to rise by close to 20% in the current 2016/17 crop. Elsewhere, production in Honduras (7% of global production) is expected to make a recovery after the planting of ‘rust- resistant’ trees several years ago, which is helping to improve yields. The country has engaged in a renovation programme to protect its coffee from the rust-leaf fungus which has reduced production from Central America and Mexico for the past four years. Honduran production is likely to hit an all-time high of 6.1 mn bags (a 7% gain).
(Click to enlarge)

Narrowing sugar deficit

After 5 consecutive years of sugar surplus, 2015/16 was the first year of a deficit. The failed monsoon in India and Thailand has seen production in these two countries decline the most (the combined output of both countries is about 25% of global production). Production in Brazil (20% of global production) also declined, not because of a decline in cane growth, but because more cane was used for ethanol production. The 2016/17 cane harvest in Brazil, which is about a quarter complete, is progressing 15% faster than last year’s harvest. With relatively low gasoline prices we don’t expect a large diversion to ethanol this year. Sugar production in Brazil is running 25% ahead of where it was last year and we expect a 7% increase in Brazilian sugar output in 2016/17.
(click to enlarge) The Indian monsoon is currently approaching its northern limits and rainfall has been at the long-term average. In contrast to last year, resevoirs will likely be amply replenished. Indian sugar output is likely to rise as a result of more favourable conditions for its cane crop. Sugar consumption is expected to rise by 1% globally, leaving the market in a production deficit despite the increase in supply. However, that supply deficit will narrow. While sugar stocks will continue to decline, they will remain above the long-term average of 31 million tonnes.

Soybeans head for record production

The Argentine soybean harvest in 2015/16, which is virtually complete, is expected to produce 8% less soybeans that the previous year as flooding in April and May spoiled the crop. Argentina provides approximately 20% of global production. Brazil (30% of global production) has seen its harvest remain close to the previous year’s levels. The 2016/17 year crop for Argentina and Brazil has not yet been planted. The US 2015/16 crop was a record high. Although USDA projects a decline for 2016/17, we believe that their forecast remains overly conservative. By July 3rd 2016, 22% of the crop was blooming (8% ahead of last year) and 72% of crop was in good or excellent condition (10% better of last year). Moreover, planted acreage of soybean in the US has increased by 1%.
(click to enlarge) Speculative positioning in soybean futures stand more than 1.5 standard deviations above the 5-year average, highlighting that investor optimism remains elevated. We believe that the investor optimism is a response to the disappointing Argentine crop of 2015/16. While the 2016/17 Southern Hemisphere crop is not yet in the ground, our analysis of La Niñas indicate that weather conditions could be quite favourable for the crop this year.

Downside risk to Real

While difficult to predict the path of a currency that has been so volatile in the past few years, we believe that the good news about relative political stability (after the impeachment of the President Dilma Rousseff) has been largely priced in. Economic conditions remain challenging for the country and therefore limit significant further appreciation. We believe that currency appreciation will no longer be a meaningful catalyst for price increases in sugar, soybean and coffee for the remainder of this year and the crops will trade on their own fundamentals. Rising production should therefore be price-negative.

Important Information

General

This communication has been issued and approved for the purpose of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (“ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”). The information contained in this communication is for your general information only and is neither an offer for sale nor a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. This communication should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investments may go down in value. This document is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, an advertisement or any other step in furtherance of a public offering of shares or securities in the United States or any province or territory thereof. Neither this document nor any copy hereof should be taken, transmitted or distributed (directly or indirectly) into the United States. This communication may contain independent market commentary prepared by ETFS UK based on publicly available information. Although ETFS UK endeavours to ensure the accuracy of the content in this communication, ETFS UK does not warrant or guarantee its accuracy or correctness. Any third party data providers used to source the information in this communication make no warranties or representation of any kind relating to such data. Where ETFS UK has expressed its own opinions related to product or market activity, these views may change. Neither ETFS UK, nor any affiliate, nor any of their respective officers, directors, partners, or employees accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this publication or its contents. ETFS UK is required by the FCA to clarify that it is not acting for you in any way in relation to the investment or investment activity to which this communication relates. In particular, ETFS UK will not provide any investment services to you and or advise you on the merits of, or make any recommendation to you in relation to, the terms of any transaction. No representative of ETFS UK is authorised to behave in any way which would lead you to believe otherwise. ETFS UK is not, therefore, responsible for providing you with the protections afforded to its clients and you should seek your own independent legal, investment and tax or other advice as you see fit.

Opportunity to short agriculture with La Niña

Opportunity to short agriculture with La Niña

ETF Securities Commodities Research – Opportunity to short agriculture with La Niña

Crop production may increase if La Niña starts in winter

Summary

  • As El Niño fades, La Niña weather conditions look increasingly likely to emerge later in the year.
  • La Niñas that reach a “medium” strength by northern hemisphere winter tend to help the production of grains, coffee and cocoa and so a La Niña starting in winter 2016/17 could be price negative.
  • Should La Niña be delayed to spring/summer 2017, we could see mainly price positive developments.

From El Niño to La Niña

We are currently in the one of the most extreme El Niño events on record (with records dating back to 1950). El Niño refers to the warm phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) which is a scientific term that describes the fluctuations in temperature between the ocean and atmosphere in the east-central Equatorial Pacific. The warm phase of the ENSO has led to droughts in Asia and excess rain in South America, leading to a 50% rally in sugar prices between August and December 2015 for example.

According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, out of the past 26 El Niño events since 1900 approximately 40% have been followed by a La Niña, the cold phase of ENSO. The International Research Institute for Climate and Society’si regression models peg the probability of a La Niña  event at 53% by September.

(Click to enlarge) La Niña tends to have the opposite effect of El Niño: places with droughts under El Niño tend to have excess rain under La Niña and vice-versa.

(Click to enlarge) Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization

Our analysis of previous ENSO cycles identifies nine distinct La Niña events of a medium magnitudeii since 1959 (8 for coffee since 1972 and 6 for soybean oil since 1979 due to lack of price availability). We look at how commodity prices have performed one year from the date a certain threshold of La Niña intensity has been reached. At a first glance it appears as if there is no clear directional impact from La Niña events. For most commodities there have been a similar number of price-positive events as price negative.

(Click to enlarge)

Summer La Niña vs. Winter La Niña

However, a key distinguishing feature between these nine events is when the La Niña started (or more accurately when it reaches our threshold intensity). We see a clear pattern that La Niñas that reach threshold intensity in the northern hemisphere winter, drive prices of most agricultural commodities lower within one year of the event. The notable exception is sugar. La Niñas that reach threshold intensity in the northern hemisphere summer, drive prices of most agricultural commodities higher within one year of the event. Soybean is an exception here. Summer La Niñas tend to have a more substantial price impact, reflecting the fact that more northern hemisphere crops are in the ground and therefore exposed to weather changes.

(Click to enlarge) Based on NOAA model forecasts of a greater than 50% probability of La Niña starting in northern hemisphere Autumn, we could hit threshold intensity by winter 2016.

Looking at past price trends has limitations. We are not accounting for length or amplitude of each weather event. Nor are we conditioning for other drivers of price including: planting decisions, competing weather patterns, crop infections, starting stocks and currency movements.

Crop cycle and weather impacts by geography

Looking at the crop cycle and weather impacts at different times of the year in various geographies, we believe there is a logical reason why prices should rise or fall in a winter La Niña. The table below is a summary of our findings. We believe that if a winter La Niña 2016 is confirmed, there is good reason to short wheat, corn, soybeans, coffee and cocoa and go long sugar.

At meteorologists’ mercy

We caution investors however, to wait for a confirmation that the weather pattern will emerge as early as winter 2016/17. If the weather event is delayed until spring/summer 2017, then the price impacts could be very different. Remember, the El Niño expected in 2014 did not emerge until 2015. In the meantime, lingering weather impacts from El Niño could provide upside price risks for cocoa in the short-term as the market has underestimated the impact of dryness on the mid-crop which will be harvested from May in most of Africa. Cocoa prices have fallen more than 20% since December as the market has focused on ample port deliveries failing to recognise that supply overall this year could be tight.

(Click to enlarge)

i The organisation that jointly produces the official US meteorological forecasts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization. The official forecast is based on a consensus of forecasters and committee discussion. The probability from the regression is a purely objective input to the discussion.
ii We use an Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) of less than or equal to -1° to identify a “medium” La Niño event. The ONI is based on Sea Surface Temperature (SST) departures in a specific region of the Pacific Ocean away from its 30-year average. While a La Niña event is technically marked by a ONI of less than or equal to -0.5°, we have chosen to look at medium intensity of -1°, to judge events of significant strength and reduce spurious analysis. We call this the “threshold intensity” for the purpose of this article.

Important Information

General

This communication has been issued and approved for the purpose of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (“ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”).

The information contained in this communication is for your general information only and is neither an offer for sale nor a solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

This communication should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investments may go down in value. This document is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, an advertisement or any other step in furtherance of a public offering of shares or securities in the United States or any province or territory thereof. Neither this document nor any copy hereof should be taken, transmitted or distributed (directly or indirectly) into the United States. This communication may contain independent market commentary prepared by ETFS UK based on publicly available information. Although ETFS UK endeavours to ensure the accuracy of the content in this communication,

ETFS UK does not warrant or guarantee its accuracy or correctness. Any third party data providers used to source the information in this communication make no warranties or representation of any kind relating to such data. Where ETFS UK has expressed its own opinions related to product or market activity, these views may change. Neither ETFS UK, nor any affiliate, nor any of their respective officers, directors, partners, or employees accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this publication or its contents. ETFS UK is required by the FCA to clarify that it is not acting for you in any way in relation to the investment or investment activity to which this communication relates. In particular, ETFS UK will not provide any investment services to you and or advise you on the merits of, or make any recommendation to you in relation to, the terms of any transaction. No representative of ETFS UK is authorised to behave in any way which would lead you to believe otherwise. ETFS UK is not, therefore, responsible for providing you with the protections afforded to its clients and you should seek your own independent legal, investment and tax or other advice as you see fit. 392

Commodities at a Turning Point

Your reference guide to commodity markets. Includes the latest outlook for each commodity sector and major developments for individual commodities.

Commodities at a Turning Point

Commodity Monthly Monitor – Commodities at a Turning Point

Your reference guide to commodity markets. Includes the latest outlook for each commodity sector and major developments for individual commodities.

Download the complete report (.pdf)

Summary

  • Commodities as an asset class have been underperforming for the past five years. However, in 2015 we have observed clear signs that a turning point is in sight.
  • El Niño is making its mark.
  • As central bank policies diverge, returns to gold in Euros and US Dollars will diverge too.
  • Another month of weak prices deepens production cuts in industrial metals.
  • The cure for low oil prices is low oil prices.

For more information contact:

ETF Securities Research team
ETF Securities (UK) Limited
T +44 (0) 207 448 4336
E info@etfsecurities.com

Important Information

This communication has been provided by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (”ETFS UK”). ETFS UK is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the ”FCA”).

This communication is only targeted at qualified or professional investors.

The information contained in this communication is for your general information only and is neither an offer for sale nor a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. This communication should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investments may go down in value.

This document is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, an advertisement or any other step in furtherance of a public offering of shares or securities in the United States or any province or territory thereof. Neither this document nor any copy hereof should be taken, transmitted or distributed (directly or indirectly) into the United States.

This communication may contain independent market commentary prepared by ETFS UK based on publicly available information. Although ETFS UK endeavours to ensure the accuracy of the content in this communication, ETFS UK does not warrant or guarantee its accuracy or correctness. Any third party data providers used to source the information in this communication make no warranties or representation of any kind relating to such data. Where ETFS UK has expressed its own opinions related to product or market activity, these views may change. Neither ETFS UK, nor any affiliate, nor any of their respective, officers, directors, partners, or employees accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this publication or its contents.

ETFS UK is required by the FCA to clarify that it is not acting for you in any way in relation to the investment or investment activity to which this communication relates. In particular, ETFS UK will not provide any investment services to you and or advise you on the merits of, or make any recommendation to you in relation to, the terms of any transaction. No representative of ETFS UK is authorised to behave in any way which would lead you to believe otherwise. ETFS UK is not, therefore, responsible for providing you with the protections afforded to its clients and you should seek your own independent legal, investment and tax or other advice as you see fit.

Denna råvara kan drabbas hårt av El Niños framfart

Denna råvara kan drabbas hårt av El Niños framfart

Denna råvara kan drabbas hårt av El Niños framfart De flesta meteorologer är av samma uppfattning, även den inte delas av råvarujätten Olams VD Sunny Verghese, nämligen att vi kan se fram mot en väldigt kraftfull El Niño i år. De tror också att detta väderfenomen kan komma att sträcka sig fram till den tidiga våren. Detta vädermönster har olika effekt på olika råvaror, och av denna anledning kommer El Niño att driva upp priset på vissa råvaror, och ned priset på andra. Detta kommer även att påverka de börshandlade fonder som replikerar utvecklingen av dessa råvaror. Denna råvara kan drabbas hårt av El Niños framfart, nämligen naturgas.

Om El Niño utvecklas som meteorologerna tror kommer det att bli en varmare och torrare vinter än normalt i den nordöstra delen av USA.

El Niño orsakar ovanligt varm havstemperaturer i den del av Stilla Havet som finns vid Ekvatorn, och har förutsättningar att skapa en varm vinter över hela den nordamerikanska kontinenten. Meteorologerna arbetar just nu mer vädermodeller som projicerar förhållanden som kan komma att pågå långt in under 2016.

Bland ETFer som kan vara potentiellt sårbara för El Niño är redan misshandlade First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund (NYSEArca: (NYSEArca: FCG). FCG, som köper aktier i bolag som är verksamma inom prospektering och produktion av naturgas. Denna ETF har backat med nästan 40 procent under det senaste kvartalet eftersom priset på naturgas har fallit till rekordlåga nivåer efter skifferoljeboomen i USA som har pressat både gas- och oljepriserna.

Under tiden har energiproducenter som Range Resources Corp. (NYSE: RRC) och Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) reviderat ned sina prognoser för innevarande år och spår en nedgång i energipriserna, till exempel för olja och andra flytande bränslen.

Den starkaste El Niño på 65 år

Om meteorologernas prognoser stämmer kan årets El Niño komma att bli den starkaste på 65 år. Den kan då komma att få temperaturen i stora delar av norra USA att stiga samtidigt som polarströmmarna försvagas. Detta har fått till exempel WSI, som är en del av The Weather Company att spå ett minskat behov av naturgas under vintern 2015/2016. WSI spår att behovet kommer att falla med minst tio procent jämfört med vintern 2014/2015. Samtidigt är lagernivåerna för naturgas höga och ligger16 procent över nivåerna vid samma tidpunkt 2014 samt 4 procent högre än det femåriga genomsnittet. Detta kan förklara varför terminskontraktet för leverans av naturgas i januari 2016 handlas till den lägsta nivån på 16 år.

Ökad konsolidering kan leda till högre kostnader

En ökad konsolidering av branschen kan komma att leda till högre kostnader för producenterna och vilket i slutändan skulle kunna innebära ett högre naturgaspris. Bättre borrteknik kan däremot komma att sänka både kostnaderna men också priset på naturgas. En svagare ekonomi kan leda till minskad borrningsverksamhet och högre gaspriser

De höga lagren av naturgas är förvånande med tanke på att sommaren 2015 varit varmare än somrarna 2013 och 2014. Denna sommar har även medför temperaturer som her legat över det 10-åriga genomsnittet. Baserat på den amerikanska elförbrukningen har det gått åt 4 miljarder kubikfot naturgas under sommaren 2015 än under 2014 för att möta efterfrågan på luftkonditionering. Att lagren ökar är en följd av en stigande produktion från de amerikanska skiffergasproducenterna. Blir vintern mildare än vanligt kommer efterfrågan på naturgas att minska ytterligare, vilket kommer öka lagren ännu mer och därmed är det sannolikt att naturgaspriset faller ännu mer.