Liffe October white sugar futures end $20.80 higher at $636.80 per tonne on Tuesday after setting a 6-1/2 month high for the front month of $639.80. Market supported by worries dry weather in Brazil will erode yields. Liffe December cocoa ended 22 pounds higher at 1,849 pounds a tonne.
Market looking to consolidate after prolonged slide. Position tidying ahead of Wednesday's expiry of September contract boosted volume. Liffe November robusta coffee settled $20 higher at $1,591 per tonne, supported by further sharp gains in ICE arabica futures.
London's October white sugar rose prior to Wednesday's contract expiry, and touched a new 6-1/2-month high, basis front month. Dealers expect a modest delivery tonnage of mainly Brazilian sugars at the expiry. One of the top reasons for market bulls in arguing for higher values is rising concern about the dry spell in Brazil, which could impact sugar yields into the 2011/12 season. "Trade estimates for Brazilian production are declining almost on a week-to-week basis, helping spot demand and adding to pressure on spot prices," said Doug Whitehead, an analyst with Rabobank.
"There has been a lot more interest from the specs." Thomas Kujawa of Sucden Financial Sugar said: "While the funds are in buy mode it's dangerous for the bears." The bears are focused on upwardly revised expectations for Indian output in 2010/11, he added.
Dealers noted a flurry of activity linked to expiry of the London October white sugar futures contract on Wednesday, and said they anticipated a moderate delivery. "We've been seeing a greater willingness of Brazilian sellers to step in at these levels," said one London-based dealer.