Soybeans are experiencing declines in trading activity as market participants adjust positions ahead of the anticipated US-China leadership meeting. Current contracts are down 10 to 12¼ cents, with the cmdtyView national average cash bean price falling 11¾ cents to $12.54. Simultaneously, soy meal futures are mixed, trading between up 10 cents and down $1.30 to $2.40, while soy oil prices have eased 15 to 20 points.
Traders are reducing exposure in the run-up to Thursday’s meeting between US and Chinese leaders, with market sentiment centered on potential discussions about extending the existing trade agreement and addressing outstanding tariffs. This cautious positioning reflects uncertainty over how the dialogue might influence future trade policies.
USDA is set to release export sales data on Thursday, with analysts forecasting soybean exports between 1.5 to 2 million metric tons for the week ending September 17. Bean meal sales are projected between 250,000 and 375,000 MT, while bean meal sales are expected to range from net reductions of 2,000 MT to net sales of 6,500 MT.
A slower harvest is anticipated in the western Midwest this week, with Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, and parts of Missouri facing rainfall totals of 1 to 4 inches, particularly heavy precipitation in northeast Nebraska, northwest Iowa, and southeast South Dakota.
The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange projects Argentina’s 2026/27 soybean crop at 53.6 million metric tons, marking an increase from last year’s 50.1 MMT. Meanwhile, Brazilian soybean exports for September are estimated at 8.02 million metric tons by ANEC, a 0.3 MMT decrease from previous forecasts. This figure represents an 18.25% drop from August but reflects a 9.25% year-over-year increase.
Key soybean futures prices as of market close include: November 2026 contracts at $13.13¼, down 12¼ cents; nearby cash at $12.54¹, down 11¾ cents; January 2027 at $13.29¼, down 12 cents; and March 2027 at $13.38, down 10¾ cents.
On the date of publication,
Austin Schroeder
did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes.
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