Soybean prices showed modest gains on Friday, with March futures closing at $10.57¾, an increase of 4¾ cents. The national average cash bean price rose by 5¼ cents to $9.87¼, while soymeal futures climbed by up to $2.40, despite a weekly decline of $13.70. Soy Oil futures experienced a mixed day, down 18 to 36 points on Friday but recording a weekly increase of 292 points. Trading will resume on Monday evening after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
As of January 13, the Commitment of Traders report indicated a reduction of 44,756 contracts in net long positions for spec traders, bringing their total to 12,961 contracts. Meanwhile, total soybean export commitments reached 30.637 million metric tons (MMT) as of January 8, which is 25% below the same period in 2025 and well behind the USDA projection of 71%. Actual shipments stood at 17.984 MMT, or 42% of USDA’s estimate.
Additionally, Brazilian crop estimates have been updated, with Safras increasing their projection for soybean production by 0.52 MMT to 179.28 MMT.
