PARIS/BEIJING, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Chicago corn, wheat and soybean futures extended gains on Friday, supported by investor relief that U.S. President Donald Trump did not immediately impose reciprocal tariffs globally, as well as concern over crop weather in various parts of the world.
The most active corn contract Cv1 on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) was up 0.9% at $4.97-3/4 a bushel by 1213 GMT, rising for a third day towards a 15-month high struck last week.
CBOT soybeans Sv1 gained 1% to $10.40-1/2 a bushel, adding to Thursday's rebound from the lowest level in nearly a month.
CBOT wheat Wv1 climbed 2.1% to $5.90 a bushel, also rising for a second session.
The dollar =USD eased after Trump stopped short of imposing more tariffs on Thursday, providing a boost for commodities priced in the U.S. currency. MKTS/GLOB
Trump's decision to order his economics team to prepare plans for reciprocal tariffs was seen by investors as leaving scope for negotiations, though traders remain wary of a possible trade war and retaliation against U.S. agricultural exports.
"It's a positive money flow day, with the dollar index down," one European grain trader said.
Weather risks were also underpinning grain markets.
Traders were wrestling with the impact of drought in Argentina and southern Brazil before a recent improvement in rainfall.
The wheat market was reacting to a decline in French crop conditions and cold temperatures forecast in Russia and in U.S. hard red winter wheat areas, the European trader added.
The condition of French soft wheat has worsened sharply since December, data from farm office FranceAgriMer showed on Friday, fuelling concern that heavy rain is hurting crops.
Cold spells forecast in U.S. and Russian wheat belts in the coming days are also raising concern about crop damage.
Corn and wheat markets were also buoyed by brisk weekly U.S. exports, though wheat import tenders this week from Algeria and Saudi Arabia were expected to show continued Black Sea competition. GRA/TEND
Weekly U.S. soybean exports were below expectations but the absence of more U.S. tariffs tempered concerns about full-blown trade conflict with top soybean importer China.
Prices at 1213 GMT | |||
Last | Change | Pct Move | |
CBOT wheat Wv1 | 590.00 | 12.25 | 2.12 |
CBOT corn Cv1 | 497.75 | 4.25 | 0.86 |
CBOT soy Sv1 | 1040.50 | 10.50 | 1.02 |
Paris wheat BL2H5 | 233.00 | 2.00 | 0.87 |
Paris maize EMAc1 | 215.50 | 1.25 | 0.58 |
Paris rapeseed COMc1 | 527.75 | 5.50 | 1.05 |
WTI crude oil CLc1 | 71.71 | 0.42 | 0.59 |
Euro/dlr EUR= | 1.05 | 0.00 | -0.04 |
Most active contracts - Wheat, corn and soy US cents/bushel, Paris futures in euros per metric ton |