US soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended higher on Wednesday on concerns that harvest is slow due to rains with more forecast for Thursday. dealers said. Any immature soybeans could also be hurt by a weekend freeze. But prices kept within recent ranges as traders await USDA's new US crop forecasts on Friday. November soybeans closed 2 cents higher at $9.12 a bushel.
October soymeal ended up $5.20 a ton at $290.70; December meal closed $3.50 higher at $281. October soyoil closed 0.21 cent per lb down at 33.73 cents; December down 0.22 at 34.04. Soymeal lifted on meal-oil spreading sparked by falling crude and recent strength in corn now hovering near a two-month high. Soyoil pressured by falling crude oil market amid EIA data showing larger-than-expected increases in refined product stocks.
Commodity funds bought an estimated 2,000-3,000 soybean futures, 1,000 soymeal and sold 1,000 soyoil-traders. Index funds, which hold long positions, were rolling their soybeans and soyoil. US crop belt braces for weekend freeze, rains stall harvest-DTN Meteorlogix forecaster. Analysts expect USDA to raise its estimate for 2009 US soy crop given strong harvest yields.
On average, analysts see USDA increasing its 2009 US soy crop estimate by 32 million bushels to 12.986 billions and above the record crop of 3.197 billion harvested in 2006. Analysts also estimating 2009/10 US soy end stocks to build given the bigger crop. The average analysts endstock estimate was for 249 million bushels, up from USDA's September forecast for 220 million.
Brazil planting record 2009/10 soy crop that could reach 63.3 million tonnes - Conab. Rains in Argentina and Brazil seen boosting soy crop prospects for the 2010 harvest. US Midwest basis bids for soybeans rise early on Wednesday amid little farmer selling. Overnight, light October soyoil deliveries of 180 contracts met by scattered stopping. There were no October soymeal deliveries. Palm up, off best on worries over exports, output.