12/22/2025 Geopolitical Concerns Heighten

12/22/2025 Click Above to Watch the Morning Market Talk Video Geopolitical Concerns Heighten On the Grains Grain and soy markets firmed overnight amid heightened tensions in the Black Sea region as Ukraine and Russia attacked each other’s infrastructure. Russia stepped up attacks at Ukraine’s Odesa ports in the Black Sea, including a shipping terminal belonging to oilseed firm Allseeds. Ukrainian drones damaged infrastructure and vessels at the Black Sea port of Taman, which handles products including grains, fertilizers and oil. Crude oil firmed around $1 and gold and silver surged to new highs as the U.S. boarded a third oil tanker near Venezuela in less than two weeks. Brazil Weather Stays Favorable, But Dryness Looms Scattered showers are expected this week across most of Brazil’s main growing regions. The 10-day forecast shows dryness building over central and east-central Brazil, while rains will continue in southern production regions. AgRural raised its Brazilian soybean production forecast by 1.9 MMT to a record 180.4 MMT, based on field data projections. The firm noted, “It is worth remembering that, despite the favorable weather conditions experienced by the 2025-26 crop throughout Brazil in December, most soybean crops still have uncertain productivity. Therefore, the size of…