051010.pdf

Crop prices continue to fluctuate due to various factors, including financial markets, currency values, crude oil and gasoline prices, and developments within commodity markets. November 2010 soybean futures, December 2010 corn futures, and July 2010 CBOT wheat futures have traded in ranges of $.65, $.28, and $.40, respectively, over the past month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has also been volatile, and currency values, such as the U.S. dollar index, have influenced commodity imports and exports. Crude oil and gasoline prices have ranged widely, and developments within commodity markets, including corn and soybean demand, have been mixed. The USDA's monthly update on May 11 is expected to contain forecasts of large corn and soybean crops, which may lead to larger year-ending stocks. With many factors influencing prices, the pattern of volatile crop prices is expected to continue.