Since the war in Iran began, fertilizer prices have been climbing steadily. US Gulf urea prices alone are up around 40% since the start of the conflict and nearly 80% year‑to‑date, putting intense pressure on farm economics. In several regions, farmer margins are now razor‑thin – or outright negative – raising the risk of reduced fertilizer use and significant cuts in planted wheat area ahead of the upcoming Southern Hemisphere wheat planting season.

Join Carlos Mera and Sam Taylor as they discuss how the conflict in the Middle East and the effective double blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are reshaping fertilizer markets and key crops – and what that could mean for global agricultural production and food prices.

Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417272/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast.

Cocoa futures in London and New York have had a rough start to the new year, plummeting 30% YTD following a wave of bearish fundamentals hitting the market in January. In this podcast, Carlos Mera and Oran van Dort discuss the latest crash, explaining the role of deteriorating demand, evidence of easing market tightness, favorable West African weather, and the significant influence of speculators, as well as the impact on the forward balance sheet and both the short- and long-term price outlook.

Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417272/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast.

Carlos Mera and Oran van Dort discuss the spike in coffee prices. Despite so many factors affecting the coffee market in the last couple of years, global exports in the 12 months to August remained remarkably stable. A significant drop in Brazilian exports is being offset by increases in a number of countries, from large producers like Vietnam and Colombia to tiny Madagascar. Looking at the 2026/27 crop year, we expect a large global surplus, assuming more or less normal weather ahead, but in the short term, we expect high volatility. Brazil's arabica areas need more rainfall in the second half of October to secure a good production recovery next season, but also, certified stocks are declining, partially as an unintended consequence of US tariffs.

Disclaimer: Please refer to our global RaboResearch disclaimer at https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/disclaimer/011417272/disclaimer for information about the scope and limitations of the material published on the podcast.