(NAFB) – Analysts from the CME Group called last year “unprecedented,” but they also say 2021 will be a different story from 2020.

However, the global economy won’t go back to pre-COVID-19 norms. Certain trends are accelerating, and new policies are coming, which means markets will have a lot to think about this year. One of the factors that will influence the agriculture markets is China’s economic recovery.

That’s Erik Norland, the Executive Director and Senior Economist with the CME Group. Blu Putnam is the Group’s Chief Economist. He says another key factor influencing the 2021 markets will be weather.

Hurricanes were a problem for southern agriculture last year, and the presence of a strong La Niña may mean challenges ahead in 2021.

Drought is another potential challenge during the rest of 2021.

Weather will affect how China purchases commodities to meet its demand, which in turn will also affect how many acres U.S. farmers will plant for each commodity.