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According to a report by the Energy Information Administration, crude oil inventories in the United States increased by 3.9 million barrels to reach 416.9 million barrels for the week ending September 27. This contradicted analysts' predictions of a decrease in stocks. Gasoline inventories also rose by 1.1 million barrels, while distillate fuel oil stocks fell by 1.3 million barrels. Refinery capacity use decreased to 87.6% from the previous week's 90.9%. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the challenging financial outlook for U.S. farmers despite a record-setting crop year. Topics include the decline in grain prices post-Covid, the impact of high costs for seeds and fertilizers on farm budgets, and the tough decisions farmers are making, such as cutting back on inputs or delaying investments to manage costs.

Orange juice prices have reached record highs due to factors such as citrus groves being affected by greening disease and extreme weather. Prices for frozen concentrate orange-juice futures have tripled since late 2021, with prices setting new records each week. The average cost of a gallon of orange juice in grocery stores has increased by over 10% compared to last year. Rising prices may lead to a decline in orange juice demand as consumers seek alternatives with less sugar. Orange production in Florida is expected to increase this year but is still down over 50% from two years ago. Brazil, the world's largest orange producer, has also been impacted by greening disease and cannot fully meet the supply gap. Higher labor costs and the break-even price for oranges exceeding $3 per pound are further challenges for farmers. Despite these difficulties, some traders believe that prices may have peaked, and Florida farmers remain optimistic about the future of citrus farming in the state. [Extracted from the article]