CBOT wheat loses overnight rally; soybeans and corn futures dip
Chicago wheat futures fell due to competitive Black Sea exports, despite a brief rally after a Russian attack on Ukrainian port infrastructure. Soybean futures remained unchanged, supported by stronger-than-expected export sales but offset by falling soy oil prices and technical trading. Corn futures declined, pressured by expectations of a record U.S. crop and a stronger U.S. dollar. Traders are consolidating positions ahead of next week’s ProFarmer crop tour, with analysts predicting record yields for U.S. corn and soybeans.
Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures ended lower on Thursday as cheap Black Sea exports kept weighing on the market, which had risen overnight on a rally sparked by a Russian attack on Ukrainian port infrastructure
Chicago soybean futures ticked down on falling soy oil prices and technical trading, while corn futures eased on expectations for a record U.S. corn crop as well as strength in the U.S. dollar, which can make U.S. exports less competitive.
The Chicago Board of Trade’s most-active wheat contract settled down 6-1/2 cents to $5.28-1/4 per bushel.
Russia attacked the port infrastructure in Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa on Wednesday evening, injuring at least two people.
Most-active soybeans ended the day unchanged at $9.68-1/2 per bushel, and corn ended down 3-3/4 cents at $3.97 per bushel.
Some soybean traders see futures as somewhat oversold, at least in the short-term, after worries about hefty global supplies saw the November contract plunge by nearly $1 over the past couple of weeks, said Karl Setzer, partner at Consus Ag Consulting.
Traders spent much of the session consolidating their positions ahead of next week’s ProFarmer crop tour, analysts said.
The annual tour of U.S. Midwest corn and soy fields is widely expected to find record yields, said Randy Place, analyst at Hightower Report, said.
“There’s not enough bullish news to offset the negatives” in both the corn and soybean markets, Place said.
Lackluster demand from top importer China and non-threatening U.S. weather also has continued to pressure prices.
“It’ll be tough to see a higher trade,” Mike Zuzolo, president of Global Commodity Analytics, said.
The USDA reported net weekly U.S. soybean export sales of 1,344,200 metric tons for 2024-25, topping analysts’ expectations for 400,000 to 1,000,000 metric tons.
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