By Giulia Petroni

A roundup of key agricultural commodity markets for the week of Dec. 15-19 by Dow Jones Newswires in Barcelona.

GRAINS & OILSEEDS: The broader macroeconomic mood is mixed following the Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates again in December, with a weaker U.S. dollar and lower oil prices.

Traders are now focused on the monetary policy outlook for next year after the U.S. central bank left the door open for further cuts. Key data points, including the nonfarm payrolls report on Tuesday and CPI inflation figures on Thursday, will be closely watched, as will policy decisions from the European Central Bank, Bank of England, and Bank of Japan, which could influence dollar volatility.

Meanwhile, the USDA and Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, have released a new accelerated catch-up schedule following the record-long U.S. government shutdown. "The CFTC will be caught up by Dec. 29, and the first fully "normal" Tuesday-Friday week will be Jan. 9," according to Peak Trading Research.

December typically sees a bullish trend, with investors allocating capital into commodities and inflation-protecting assets ahead of the new year. Stock markets also tend to get a boost from the holiday rally.

"This is now the most bullish two-month stretch of the entire year for the agriculture complex," analysts at Peak Trading Research said. "It's a great time to buy dips, especially in cotton, cattle, corn, and soybeans."

Weather forecasts show mostly above-average rainfall across Brazil, aiding early soybean development, while Argentina is experiencing wetter conditions, offering relief after recent heat and reducing near-term La Niña yield risks, the firm said.

Chicago wheat futures fell 1.3% to $5.22 a bushel in European afternoon trade Monday, while corn was down 0.8% to $4.37 a bushel. Soybean prices declined 0.8% to $10.68 a bushel.

SOFT COMMODITIES: Coffee prices fell 2.5% to $3.60 a pound, pressured by expectations of ample supply on higher exports from Vietnam and increased production forecasts for Brazil. Meanwhile, the European Parliament approved a one-year delay to the deforestation law known as EUDR, meaning coffee flows won't be affected for the time being.

Cocoa prices dropped 6.4% to $5,883 a ton, as traders anticipate a surplus in the 2025-26 season due to improved supply and weaker demand. High prices last season damped consumption, and analysts expect buyers to remain cautious, keeping prices under pressure in 2026. Sugar slipped 1.5% to 15 cents a pound.

Write to Giulia Petroni at giulia.petroni@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 15, 2025 12:04 ET (17:04 GMT)

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