Soybeans Close Lower to Initiate 2026 Trade

Soybeans came back from earlier sharp weakness on Friday to close the initial 2026 session with contracts down a penny to 3 cents. March was down 26 ¾ cents on the week. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was 6 ¼ cents higher at $9.70. Soymeal futures were $2.30 to $4.10/ton lower, with March down $11.40. Soy Oil futures were up 61 to 80 points on the day, as March settled with an 8 point gain on the week. 

Export Sales data will be out on Monday morning for the week ending on December 25, with analysts looking for 0.7-1.8 MMT of 2025/26 soybean bookings, with 0-150,000 MT for 2026/27. Meal sales are seen between 150,000-500,000 MT, with bean oil sales seen between 0-20,000 MT.

November crush data was updated this afternoon, with NASS showing a total of 220.48 mbu of soybeans crushed during the month, falling shy of estimates. That was down 6.7% from last month, but still 4.98% larger yr/yr. Soybean crush in the first quarter of 2025/26 was 661.74 mbu up 49.5 mbu vs. last year, with USDA projecting a full marketing year increase of 110 mbu yr/yr. Soybean oil stocks for November 30 were tallied at 2.16 billion lbs, above estimates and 33.72% larger than last year. 

USDA released the payment details for the Farm Bridge Assistance program on Wednesday, with soybeans getting a $30.88/acre payment.

Jan 26 Soybeans  closed at $10.29 1/2, down 1 cent,

Nearby Cash  was $9.70, up 6 1/4 cents,

Mar 26 Soybeans  closed at $10.45 3/4, down 1 3/4 cents,

May 26 Soybeans  closed at $10.58 1/2, down 2 1/2 cents,

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.