US soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade rallied on Thursday on a short-covering technical rebound, spurred by the strength in crude oil and the equities which closed higher for a third day, traders said. Commodities have been tracking the stock markets as a barometer of demand amid the global economic recession. Dow industrials closed above 7,000 for the first time since late February.
Weekly export sales data added support. USDA confirmed big Chinese soybean purchases last week. March soybeans ended 24 cents higher at $8.99 a bushel, above its 20-day moving average of $8.89-1/4. May soy closed 20 up at $8.82. March soymeal ended $7.70 per ton higher at $289; May meal up $7 at $276.50. March soyoil closed 0.47 cent per lb up at 30.11 cents; May ended 0.47 up at 30.38.
Commodity funds bought 3,000 soybean contracts, 2,500 soymeal and 1,500 soyoil. USDA said 838,000 tonnes (837,000 tonnes for 2008-09) of soy sold for export last week, above estimates for 250,000 to 450,000 tonnes. About half of the sales were booked by China. USDA said 147,400 tonnes (old-crop) of soymeal sold for export last week, above the estimates for 75,000 to 125,000 tonnes.
USDA said 24,800 tonnes (old-crop) of soyoil sold for export last week, above estimates for 5,000 to 10,000 tonnes. Last trading day and expiration of March contracts is Friday. Traders awaiting private US soybean and corn planting estimates from private analysts on Friday. They expect farmers to increase their soy seedings from a year ago and keep corn unchanged or decrease acreage. American farmers seed 75.7 million soybean acres and 86 million to corn.
USDA to issue planting intentions report on March 31. US Midwest turning warmer and drier next week, improving prospects for soils to dry out so field work can commence soon -DTN Meteorlogix forecaster. Midwest spot basis bids for soy were weakening Thursday, reflecting the CBOT jump and farmer sales earlier in the week-dealers. Spot CIF values for soybeans at the US Gulf were held firm late, with traders were paying a premium for nearby shipment.
There were March soybean deliveries - 40 contracts - the first of the delivery period. They were met by a strong commercial stopper; the Tenco house stopping 25 lots. There were no March soymeal deliveries, overnight. March soyoil deliveries were large at 1,269 contracts. Recent rainfall in Argentina improving crop prospects. Rainfall in Brazil also favours filling soy but also slowing harvest in some areas. Malaysian palm at one-week low, caution over price outlook US biodiesel duty to boost UK producers.
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