Global Agri Commodity Markets Today: Major Price Moves, Trade Shifts & Policy Updates – July 20, 2025
- Roopali Chauhan
- Jul 20
- 2 min read
The agri commodities market is buzzing today with crucial developments that could shape global trade flows and farmer profitability in the coming months. From corn and soybean price trends to geopolitical wheat deals and fresh momentum in South Asian commodity exchanges, here’s a quick and thorough roundup of what’s moving the needle.
Corn & Soybean Prices Sink to 19-Year Lows
In a significant blow to U.S. farmers, corn and soybean futures have slumped to real (inflation-adjusted) lows not seen since 2006. The Chicago Board of Trade reported prices under pressure due to:
Strong U.S. harvest forecasts for the 2024–25 season
Surging Brazilian exports that are outcompeting U.S. supplies on the global stage
Softer-than-expected demand from key buyers like China
China Deepens Shift to Brazil for Soybeans
If you’re tracking the China-U.S. soybean trade, today’s update is eye-opening. China is now sourcing over 69% of its soybeans from Brazil, sidelining the U.S. in a big way. This seismic shift stems from ongoing geopolitical tensions and a growing preference for diversified supply chains.
While the cost of Brazilian soybeans is attractive, concerns over Amazon deforestation, climate vulnerability, and logistics reliability could pose longer-term challenges.
Bangladesh Inks Long-Term U.S. Wheat Import Deal
In a strategic move, Bangladesh has signed a deal to import 700,000 tonnes of U.S. wheat per year for the next five years. The goal? To secure tariff relief from Washington, stabilize domestic food supply, and support the nation’s broader export ambitions.
This could boost U.S. wheat export figures while helping Bangladesh hedge against price volatility and food insecurity.
Biofuel Boom Lifts Soybean Oil Demand in U.S.
Even as soybean exports take a hit, domestic crush demand for soybean oil is booming thanks to the biofuel mandate in the U.S. Renewable diesel production is creating new demand channels, offsetting global softness to some degree.
At the same time, corn ethanol demand is ticking up, helping cushion the blow of lower raw commodity prices for some producers.
Commodity Exchanges Evolve in South Asia
There’s notable momentum in South Asian agri commodity platforms:
India’s Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) has just received fresh regulatory approval, potentially opening the doors for more transparent, liquid trading in agri futures, metals, and energy.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is pushing ahead with its national commodity exchange initiative — a move welcomed by traders, farmers, and institutional investors alike. This could modernize market access and offer better price discovery for staple crops like rice, wheat, lentils, and jute.
What we’re witnessing is a rebalancing of the global agricultural commodity market. The U.S. faces headwinds from Brazilian competition, trade route rewiring, and low prices — but policy plays like biofuel expansion and export deals with countries like Bangladesh are providing lifelines.
For investors, analysts, and farmers alike, staying updated on price trends, geo-economic deals, and policy shifts is critical in this volatile landscape.
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