National Australia Bank (NAB) Agribusiness has revised its Australian dollar (AUD) forecasts down with the AUD expected to fall to 72 US cents at the end of 2015 (previously 74 US cents) and bottom out at 71 US cents in early 2016, 2 cents below previous forecasts.
General Manager of NAB Agribusiness Khan Horne said the disruption in Greece and more importantly the weaker Chinese equity markets of late have contributed to the resumption in the downward trajectory of the AUD.
“The weaker currency is providing important support to local prices and we expect it will continue to weaken through until early next year, which is good news for our export oriented industries,” said Mr Horne.
“NAB has adjusted its NAB’s 2015-16 price forecasts in light of the revised AUD forecast, with upward revisions to wheat, sugar and cotton prices.”
NAB’s average price outlook for wheat is 5.9 per cent higher than last year AUD306.24/tonne (up from 3.4 per cent), cotton is up 12 per cent to AUD2125.20/tonne (up from 9.3 per cent) and sugar has improved from 3.8 per cent decline to 1.4 per cent decline to sit at AUD378.24/tonne.
“On interest rates, we still see the Reserve Bank as having finished cutting. We see the next move in rates as up but not until late 2016, and with a lower end point for the official cash rate of 3.5 per cent.
“The NAB Rural Commodities Index was steady in June – up 0.2 per cent in AUD terms but down 0.9 per cent in USD terms. The neutral result in AUD terms largely reflects higher grain and protein prices offset by sharply lower fruit, vegetable and to a lesser degree sugar prices.”
NAB welcomes the announcement yesterday by the Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce on the opening of the live cattle trade to China.
“This deal has the potential to provide unprecedented support to the beef industry and inject real investment into the sector, which is good news for Australian producers. Our Asia Desk will be working closely with customers to identify opportunities and provide support into this new market,” said Mr Horne.
NAB’s Rural Commodities Index includes 28 commodities (wheat, barley, sorghum, rice, oats, canola, chick peas, field peas, lupins, wool, cotton, sugar, wine grapes, beef, lamb, pork, poultry, dairy, apples, bananas, oranges, mangoes, strawberries, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, potatoes and tomatoes). The index is weighted annually according to the gross value of production of each industry in Australia.
Agribusiness View provides the latest insights from NAB Agribusiness. Visit nab.com.au/agriview to sign up as well as to find the contact details for your nearest NAB Agribusiness Manager.
Important Note: Any advice in this editorial has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider its appropriateness to you.
About NAB Agribusiness
National Australia Bank (NAB) Agribusiness is Australia’s leading Agribusiness Bank and has been supporting Australian farmers for more than 150 years. NAB employs more than 600 agribusiness banking specialists in 110 metropolitan and regional locations Australia-wide. With their local and industry knowledge, our Agribusiness team understand the unique financial and environmental needs of farmers and businesses beyond the farm gate – whether they provide inputs into agriculture or process, distribute or market primary produce. NAB also has a specialist Agribusiness Asia Desk to help Australian farmers make the most of the rapid growth in demand for high quality produce in Asia. We deliver a flexible range of agribusiness products and services by listening to and working with our customers, to tailor the best packages and advice for their businesses. For further information please visit www.nab.com.au/agribusiness.
