By admin 
India could see a warmer winter ahead, potentially putting wheat yields in jeopardy. The prospect of lower production could give prices a much-needed jump start to an uptrend.
“India is expected to experience above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures from December to February, with fewer “cold wave days expected”, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement,” reported Reuters.
As the report duly noted, wheat is typically planted during the winter months. This is because wheat crops need cold weather in order to produce the most optimal yields.
Farmers plant winter-sown crops such as wheat, rapeseed, and chickpea from October to December. These crops need cold weather during their growth and maturity stages for optimal yields.
“Above-normal minimum temperatures are expected across most of the country,” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of IMD.
India’s wheat prices have already been on the rise following strong demand and limited supply. Additionally, the government has been slow to release wheat stocks from warehouses, putting further pressure on prices.
Wheat prices in general have been trending lower for much of the year. Prices did hit an apex near the end of May, but fell back down to earth during the summer months. Prices year-to-date have fallen about 10%.
One potential price mover for wheat was the U.S. election, but the results didn’t translate to any meaningful moves. Trade wars could potentially put wheat prices in a bullish pattern, but that remains to be seen when the incoming administration takes office in 2025. Agricultural commodities in general trended lower following the election, but it was more reactionary.
“”I think that’s just a knee-jerk reaction to everybody picturing ‘Trade War 2.0’ with China on the way here. … Even if that does happen again, it’s not going to start for a few months,” said Byron Behne, senior marketing manager at Northwest Grain Growers.
Simple Wheat Exposure
Wheat can offer investors a way to diversify their portfolios with agricultural commodities. An easy ingress into what exposure is the Teucrium Wheat Fund (WEAT). Investors with a long-term horizon looking to add wheat to their portfolios as a diversification component can use WEAT.
Given the current drop in wheat prices, investors can buy into the dip, thereby taking advantage of the lower prices ahead of future upside. If supply constraints elevate wheat prices in the future, it’s an ideal time to purchase the commodity.
Alternatively, WEAT offers an easy way for short-term traders to gain exposure to the price of wheat futures. Furthermore, they can use the fund to get exposure to wheat futures without having a margin account, which can help mitigate losses if wheat prices trend lower.
For more news, information, and analysis, visit the Commodities Channel.