Wheat futures may have a new situation to deal with in the foreseeable future – poor quality as well as quantity of the soft-red winter wheat variety said to be of the poorest rated going back more than 20 years. Wheat futures are trading lower by .07 today, currently at $4.79 per bushel at the Chicago Board of Trade.

Purchasers of US soft-red winter wheat are being advised by the US wheat export group, US Wheat Associates, to inspect their wheat purchases to ensure it meets their expectations of quality after unfavorable weather affected the crop. The wheat crop’s volume fell by almost 15% (to a five-year low) this year with the help of lower sowings.

Barb Levy, chief director for The Fox Group’s futures division in Chicago, had this to say regarding the fundamental assessment of the wheat futures markets, The soft-red wheat growing region saw much more moisture than usual this past Spring causing harvest delays for many farmers.” Levy adds,With the heavy rains comes crop diseases which will reduce the quality, so this is what’s going on.”

Wheat futures trend is down but finding long-term support at the $4.70 level. Still no bottom left in sight for wheat futures at this time, but I would await some type of temporary relief rally before committing to a short position.

ALL COMMENTARY IS CONSIDERED OPINION & VIEWS FROM THE AUTHOR AND NOT A SOLICITATION OF ANY SECURITIES. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING COMMODITY INTERESTS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL. YOU SHOULD THEREFORE CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.