Soybeans Close Lower to Initiate 2026 Trade

Group 1 - Soybean prices showed slight recovery after earlier declines, with March contracts down 26 ¾ cents for the week, while the national average cash bean price increased by 6 ¼ cents to $9.70 [1] - Soymeal futures decreased by $2.30 to $4.10 per ton, with March down $11.40, whereas Soy Oil futures rose by 61 to 80 points, settling with an 8 point gain for the week [1] - Export sales data for the week ending December 25 is anticipated to show soybean bookings between 0.7-1.8 million metric tons (MMT) for 2025/26 and 0-150,000 MT for 2026/27, with meal sales projected between 150,000-500,000 MT [2] Group 2 - November crush data indicated a total of 220.48 million bushels (mbu) of soybeans crushed, which is a 6.7% decrease from the previous month but a 4.98% increase year-over-year [3] - The first quarter of 2025/26 saw soybean crush at 661.74 mbu, up 49.5 mbu compared to last year, with USDA projecting a full marketing year increase of 110 mbu year-over-year [3] - Soybean oil stocks as of November 30 were reported at 2.16 billion pounds, exceeding estimates and representing a 33.72% increase from the previous year [3] Group 3 - The USDA announced a payment of $30.88 per acre for the Farm Bridge Assistance program related to soybeans [4] - As of January 26, soybeans closed at $10.29 ½, down 1 cent, with nearby cash at $9.70, up 6 ¼ cents, and March 26 soybeans closing at $10.45 ¾, down 1 ¾ cents [4]