Wheat futures rose toward $5.20 per bushel, rebounding from monthly lows as near term supply risks intersected with rapid position adjustment. An Arctic blast and record low temperatures across key US winter wheat regions, combined with patchy snow cover in some areas, heightened concerns about frost damage and localized winter kill, while an abnormal cold pattern in Russia raised the risk of output losses if freezing conditions persist. These weather threats encouraged funds to reduce historically large short positions, triggering short covering in Chicago futures and magnifying the price recovery even as broader supply balances remain relatively comfortable. At the same time, ongoing geopolitical negotiations linked to the Black Sea kept attention on potential disruptions to export flows, adding another layer of supply uncertainty. Still, ample global stocks and relatively stable production estimates continue to cap the upside.
