Wheat Rises to June 2022 Highs
2026-03-31 16:55
By
Felipe Alarcon
1 min. read
Wheat prices climbed past $6.1 per bushel, the highest level since June 2024 as a critical USDA report confirmed a significant reduction in domestic acreage and inventories amid the five week conflict in the Middle East.
The USDA Prospective Plantings report revealed that US wheat acreage for 2026 decreased to 43.80 million acres as persistent dryness in the Plains and surging input costs from the Persian Gulf war pressured farmers to limit production.
Furthermore, grain stocks data showed that US inventories plunged to 1.30 billion bushels in the first quarter of 2026 reflecting a sharp drawdown from 1.68 billion recorded previously.
While reports of potential peace talks between President Trump and Iran briefly eased broader market volatility, the supply shock from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to bolster agricultural commodities.
With only 40% of the Kansas winter wheat crop rated in good or excellent condition the market remains highly sensitive.