Orange Juice Slides Further; Cotton, Sugar, Coffee Flat

  NEW YORK  -  Orange-juice futures have fallen into bear-market territory for a

third time in three days, as the market struggles amid poor demand.

  Total U.S. retail sales of the beverage totaled 563.2 million gallons during

the season that ended Sept. 28, according to Nielsen data released Monday, the

lowest since at least the 1998-99 season, the oldest data available.

  A lack of weather threats to the groves in No. 1 orange-growing state Florida

and the dearth of government data due to the shutdown also were pressuring the

market.

  The orange-juice market is down more than 20% from its May 30 high, with the

contract for November delivery recently trading 1.5% lower at $1.2190 a pound.

Futures would need to close below $1.23 a pound to officially be in a bear

market.

  Raw sugar for March delivery on ICE was recently 0.1% lower at 18.99 cents a

pound. Arabica coffee for delivery in December was 0.1% higher at $1.1600 a

pound, while December cotton was 0.1% higher at 83.20 cents a pound.