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Beef

Beef Prices Soar: A Global Trend Beyond BrazilBeef prices are hitting historic highs across the globe, not just in Brazil, as many tend to believe. The surge isn’t isolated to meat alone; rice, chicken, and olive oil prices are following a similar upward trajectory. This global trend highlights an important point: political factors have minimal influence on price movements in this context. Instead, it’s driven by a complex mix of supply chain disruptions, increased demand, and other economic factors. Understanding these dynamics is crucial. Relying on political narratives to explain price changes is misleading. Stay informed, make data-driven decisions, and don’t fall into political traps that distract from the real issues at hand. Knowledge is your most powerful tool in navigating these challenging times.
CME:LE1!
by joaowedsonf
Can a Single Onion Slice Reshape the Future of Fast Food?In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples through the quick-service restaurant industry, McDonald's Corporation faces a watershed moment that transcends mere food safety concerns. The recent E. coli outbreak linked to Quarter Pounder burgers, resulting in 49 reported cases across 10 states, serves as a powerful reminder of how seemingly minor supply chain decisions can cascade into significant corporate challenges. With shares plummeting 7% in after-hours trading, this crisis presents a compelling case study in crisis management, operational resilience, and the delicate balance between efficiency and safety in modern food service operations. The revelation that slivered onions from a single supplier could potentially trigger such widespread impact challenges conventional wisdom about supply chain diversification in the fast-food industry. McDonald's swift response - removing Quarter Pounders from menus across several Western states and implementing immediate supply chain modifications - demonstrates the complex interplay between brand protection and operational agility. This situation raises profound questions about the industry's approach to supplier relationships and the potential vulnerabilities created by centralized sourcing strategies in pursuit of consistency and cost efficiency. Beyond the immediate health concerns and financial implications, this crisis illuminates a broader narrative about consumer trust and corporate responsibility in the modern food service landscape. As McDonald's navigates this challenge, their response may well set new standards for crisis management and transparency in the industry. The incident serves as a catalyst for reimagining food safety protocols and supply chain resilience, potentially ushering in a new era where consumer safety and operational efficiency are not just balanced but fundamentally integrated into the fabric of fast-food operations.
NYSE:MCDShort
by MorMedia
What Disinflation - Beef Price Went Up 64 percent in 5 YearsCME: Live Cattle ( CME:LE1! ), Lean Hog ( CME:HE1! ) Last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that US inflation on food items was 5.7% in June, exactly half of its peak of 11.4% in August 2022. Food inflation is at its lowest level since November 2021. Under the sub-category “Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs” from Food-at-home, the BLS data shows a negative 0.2%, meaning that meat prices declined in the past year. The official data contradicts my own experience. Anyone who has been shopping knows that the grocery bill gets bigger every month. Last weekend, I surveyed the Beef section at a local Walmart and found the following: • Beef cuts with the USDA Choice label price between $12-$18 per pound. • A primal loin, for example, costs $16.99/lb. Next to Beef is the Pork section. • A full slack of spareribs prices at $1.89/lb. • This is back to the pre-Covid price level. Why is beef so pricy? Will consumers get some relief as food inflation goes down? In this report, I attempt to find out what drives the beef/cattle price up. The Cash Cattle Market According to the National Daily Cattle & Beef Summary published by the USDA, Choice Beef averaged $301.79/cwt (per 100 pounds) nationwide on August 4th. Primal loin cutouts averaged $4.11/lb. This is so much lower than the retail price. But why? The USDA reports transactions occurred at meatpackers, where cattle farmers sell their beef cows. The report shows the value chain throughout the packing process: • Live Cattle: Steer (male cow), 187.55/cwt; Heifer (young female), $187.26/cwt; • Beef Carcass: $284.86 (Choice); • Primal Flank: $214.84 (Choice); • Primal Rib: $457.54 (Choice); • It also lists prices for Chuck, Round, Brisket, Short Plate, Trimmings, etc. From the packing plant, beef goes through cold storage, wholesale, and retail distribution before consumers pick up their favorite meat at the grocery store. During the inflationary period, labor and energy become more costly, driving up the cost of each stage of processing and distribution. Higher interest rates also raise the cost of business overhead. These together widen the price spread between live cattle and retail beef cutout significantly. In the beef cattle value chain, it takes farmers two years to raise the cows, while processing and distribution take maybe two weeks to complete. However, farmers receive only about 20% of the final sales price. The Cattle Cycle and A Shrinking Herd Cattle cycle is the process in which the size of the national cattle herd changes over time, from low point to low point. The cattle cycle averages 8–12 years and is influenced by the cattle prices, input costs that drive producer profitability, the gestation period, the time needed for raising calves to market weight, and climate conditions. If cattle prices and producer profits are expected to rise, producers may expand their herds; if prices are expected to decline, producers will reduce their herds by culling older cows and keeping fewer heifers to replace older cows. Cow-calf producers’ response to price fluctuations may be delayed because of the lengthy gestation period for cattle relative to hogs and poultry. The total number of beef cattle in the United States is highly dependent on the stage in the cattle cycle. Last month, the USDA reported that the latest herd inventory for all cows and calves was 95.9 million, down 3% year-over-year. Beef cow inventory was 29.4 million, also down 3%. The decline in beef cow supply is the main driver for higher beef prices. Over the past 50 years, the US cattle herd has shrunk significantly. • Inventory for all cows and calves peaked at 132 million in 1975. We have lost over 36 million cows or 27% of all cattle supply. • Beef cattle inventory peaked at 45.7 million. We now have 2/3 of peak herd size. A counter argument is that, with technology advancements, we need fewer cows for the same amount of beef supply. The production time gets shorter, and the cows gets bigger. People now have healthier diets and take in less red meat. According to USDA data, per capita beef consumption was 63.3 pounds in 1960. It declined to 59.1 pounds in 2021, down 6.6%. But look at the huge population growth for people. The US had 203.2 million people according to the 1970 Census. US population grew to 331.4 million in the 2020 Census, up 63%. Beef demand clearly outpaced supply as US population grows. Beef Export and Import Interestingly, the US both exports and imports beef. In 2021, the US exported 3.43 billion pounds of beef while imported 3.35 billion pounds. Beef export was mainly higher-grade beef cutouts. And import was lower-grade beef for processing into ground beef. The US used to be a net import country for beef. In 2020, China signed a trade agreement with the US and opened its vast market for US beef import. This resulted in China buying four times as much beef the following year. More export reduces domestic beef supply. This is another factor driving up beef prices. In conclusion, the days of lower priced beef are long gone. Beef prices are expected to remain high, even though food inflation goes down. Cattle and Hog Spread Trade – A Revisit How could we make use of this analysis? On May 15th, I published an idea about a spread trade between CME Live Cattle Futures ( NASDAQ:LE ) and Lean Hog Futures ( NYSE:HE ). The 20-year chart shows that the price spread between live cattle (LE) and lean hog (HE) broadly stays in the range of $20-$60 per 100 pounds but could go up to as high as $100. On May 12th, October cattle contract (LEV3) was quoted $166.2 per 100 lbs., while October hog contract (HEV3) priced at $77.425. Thus, the price spread was $88.775. On August 4th, LEV3 settled at $183.10 while HEV3 was closed at $83.25. The spread has widened to nearly $100. The Impact of Proposition 12 In 2018, California passed an animal welfare law called Proposition 12. It requires that breeding pigs be confined to a pen with no less than 24 square feet of floor space, allowing them to fully turn around in their living area. Proposition 12 applies to not only hog farmers in California, but also any supplier selling hog and pork in the state of California. The hog industry fought hard but lost. The Supreme Court upheld the law in May, and it is finally taking effect in July. The animal welfare law significantly increases the cost of hog production nationwide. Prices of live hog, pork cutout, ham and bacon shall all go up. However, as we are now in summer, a low pork consumption season, cash market price has not yet caught up. In my opinion, the cost factor pushing pork prices up in the short run is greater than the supply-demand force that drives up beef prices in the long run. There may be room to short the cattle-hog spread, until pork prices stabilize in a new equilibrium. A Short Spread trade entails selling 1 CME Live Cattle Futures and buying 1 CME Lean Hog Futures. Both contracts are based on 40,000 pounds of meat and require $1,600 in initial margins. Happy Trading. Disclaimers *Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services. CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
CME:LE1!Short
by JimHuangChicago
26
Feeder Cattle Futures Are Coiling Feeder Cattle Technicals (August): August feeder cattle were technically sound yesterday, trading nearly perfectly against our technical support and resistance pockets, only to finish the session near our pivot pocket. Those technical pockets remain in play today as the market continues to coil, marking higher lows and lower highs. This type of consolidation typically leads to a bigger directional move. Trendline resistance, the 100 and 200 day moving average are the big barrier on the resistance side of things, that pocket comes in from 175.50-176.125. On the support side, it’s trendline support from the May 20th lows. Resistance: 175.50-176.125**, 176.80-177.075*** Pivot: 173.75-174.02 Support: 171.45 -172.40****, 169.40**, 167.325** Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. Trading advice is based on information taken from trade and statistical services and other sources Blue Line Futures, LLC believes are reliable. We do not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects our good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice we give will result in profitable trades. All trading decisions will be made by the account holder. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
CME:GFQ2022
by OliverSloup_BlueLine
Live Cattle Shrug Off Outside Market WeaknessThursday's Slaughter is estimated at 126,000. Unchanged from last week, but 5,000 more than the same week last year. Thursday's Cutout Values Choice: 267.16, Down 1.06 from the previous day. Select 245.38, Down .30 from the previous day. Choice/Select Spread: 21.78 5 Area Average Cattle Price Live Steer: 144.10 Live Heifer: 143.22 Dressed Steer: 229.47 Dressed Heifer: 229.78 Outside Markets as of 6:15 AM Dow Jones +195 points, Up .65% S&P 500 +33 points, Up .89% U.S. Dollar +.665, Up .63% Live Cattle Technicals (August): August live cattle were down on the session, but they were resilient in brushing off the carnage that was taking place in the equity markets. Most of our bias this week has been, cattle will go will equities go. The fact cattle were able to hold ground indicates to us that there is good underlying strength in the market as high temperatures and a stout cash market have kept a floor in the market this week. Resistance: 137.90-137.95**, 138.75**, 140.275** Pivot: 136.60 Support: 134.85-135.35***, 132.45-132.775**, 129.975-130.725**** Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. Trading advice is based on information taken from trade and statistical services and other sources Blue Line Futures, LLC believes are reliable. We do not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects our good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice we give will result in profitable trades. All trading decisions will be made by the account holder. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
CME:LEQ2022
by OliverSloup_BlueLine
Feeder Cattle Test Trendline Support. Will it Continue to Hold?Feeder Cattle Technicals (August): August feeder cattle bulled back to trendline support (see chart below), which was defended into the close. Futures finished the session right near the 50-day moving average, 171.00. Grains were firm yesterday which may have added a headwind to feeders. Grains are firm again this morning which may keep that headwind in place on the open. If the Bulls cannot defend support, a drop back to Monday's low, 169.40, wouldn't be out of the question. On the resistance side of things, the gap from Monday is still intact, though partially filled on Wednesday, 173.75-174.025. Resistance: 173.75-174.025***, 176.45-177.075***, 178.225**, 181.65-182.10**** Support: 170.55 -171.00****, 169.40**, 167.325** Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. Trading advice is based on information taken from trade and statistical services and other sources Blue Line Futures, LLC believes are reliable. We do not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects our good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice we give will result in profitable trades. All trading decisions will be made by the account holder. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
CME:GFQ2022
by OliverSloup_BlueLine
Daily Feeder Cattle Technical Update (6.16.22)Feeder Cattle Technicals (August): August feeder cattle were firm today, despite the strength in the corn market. A lot of today’s action in commodities was likely on the back of the outside markets showing signs of stabilization. Feeders traded up into our resistance pocket, 173.85-174.02 but couldn’t get much more going, keeping that pocket intact for tomorrow’s session. On the support side of things, 170.975-171.40 is the pocket the Bulls need to defend. This pocket represents previously important price points, trendline support from the May 23rd lows, and the 50-day moving average. Resistance: 173.75-174.02***, 176.45-177.075***, 178.225**, 181.65-182.10**** Support: 170.975 -171.40****, 169.40**, 167.325** Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. Trading advice is based on information taken from trade and statistical services and other sources Blue Line Futures, LLC believes are reliable. We do not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects our good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice we give will result in profitable trades. All trading decisions will be made by the account holder. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
CME:GFQ2022
by OliverSloup_BlueLine
Daily Live Cattle Fundamental and Technical Outlook (6.16.22)Wednesday's Slaughter is estimated at 126,000. Unchanged from last week, but 5,000 more than the same week last year. Wednesday's Cutout Values Choice: 268.22, Down 1.22 from the previous day. Select245.68, Down 1.14 from the previous day. Choice/Select Spread: 22.54 5 Area Average Cattle Price Live Steer: 143.81 Live Heifer: 142.99 Dressed Steer: 229.10 Dressed Heifer: 229.65 Outside Markets as of 6:00 AM Dow Jones -571 points or 1.86% S&P 500 -85 points or 2.20% Live Cattle Technicals (August): August live cattle gaped higher on the open as the outside markets showed signs of live. The move higher filled the Monday morning gap and then some. The market finished the session a hair above the upper end of our resistance pocket, 136.625. If the Bulls can continue to defend this, we could see a move back above last week’s highs, 137.90-137.95. Above that pocket and we likely extend into the giant gap from April 25th, 138.75-140.275. On the support side of things, 134.85-135.35 is the pocket the Bulls will want to defend. Resistance: 137.90-137.95**, 138.75**, 140.275** Pivot: 136.60 Support: 134.85-135.35***, 132.45-132.775**, 129.975-130.725**** Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. Trading advice is based on information taken from trade and statistical services and other sources Blue Line Futures, LLC believes are reliable. We do not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects our good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice we give will result in profitable trades. All trading decisions will be made by the account holder. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
CME:LEQ2022
by OliverSloup_BlueLine
Daily Feeder Cattle Technical Update (6.12.22) Feeder Cattle Technicals (August): As with live cattle, feeder cattle were choppy, trading on both sides of unchanged only to finish the session near unchanged. There is a gap left from the Monday morning open, that comes in from 173.75-174.025. We would not be surprised to see this gap get filled, especially if the corn market cannot find its footing. Above that is the 100-day moving average at 176.45. On the support side of things, 170.25-170.725 is the pocket for the Bulls to defend. This represents trendline support from the May 23rd lows as well ass the 50 day moving average. Resistance: 173.75-174.02***, 176.45-177.075***, 178.225**, 181.65-182.10**** Pivot: 171.40-171.925 Support: 170.30 -170.725****, 169.40**, 167.325** Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. Trading advice is based on information taken from trade and statistical services and other sources Blue Line Futures, LLC believes are reliable. We do not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects our good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice we give will result in profitable trades. All trading decisions will be made by the account holder. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
CME:GF1!
by OliverSloup_BlueLine
Daily Live Cattle Fundamental and Technical Outlook (6.12.22)Tuesday’s Slaughter is estimated at 122,000. 4,000 less than last week, but unchanged from the same week last year. Tuesday’s Cutout Values Choice: 269.44, Down 1.10 from the previous day. Select: 246.82, Down .63 from the previous day. Choice/Select Spread: 22.62 5 Area Average Cattle Price Live Steer: 141.72 Live Heifer: 143.00 Dressed Steer: 225.58 Dressed Heifer: 226.00 Live Cattle Technicals (August): Tuesday was mostly a nothing burger, with futures trading on both sides of unchanged, only to finish the session near unchanged. As mentioned in yesterday’s report, the outside markets will be the driver, ahead of today’s Federal Reserve announcement. The market is pricing in a .75% rate hike. The announcement will be at 1:00pm CT and a press conference at 1:30pm CT will follow. Resistance: 136.025-136.625***, 137.90-137.95**, 138.75**, 140.275** Pivot: 135.10-135.475 Support: 132.45-132.775**, 129.975-130.725**** Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. Trading advice is based on information taken from trade and statistical services and other sources Blue Line Futures, LLC believes are reliable. We do not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects our good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice we give will result in profitable trades. All trading decisions will be made by the account holder. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
CME:LEQ2022
by OliverSloup_BlueLine