Soybean futures posted gains of 4 to 5 cents across most contracts on Friday. The March contract, however, ended the week down 4 3/4 cents. The national average cash bean price increased by 5 1/4 cents to $9.87 1/4.
Soymeal futures rose between 80 cents and $2.40, despite the March contract falling $13.70 over the week. Soy oil futures declined 18 to 36 points on Friday, though they finished the week 292 points higher.
The Commitment of Traders report released Friday afternoon showed speculators in soybean futures and options reduced their net long position by another 44,756 contracts. As of January 13, the net long stood at 12,961 contracts.
Export Sales data indicates total soybean commitments reached 30.637 million metric tons as of January 8. This figure is 25% below the same period in 2025, representing 71% of the USDA projection and trailing the normal pace by 15 percentage points. Actual accumulated shipments are 17.984 MMT, or 42% of the USDA estimate, which is well behind the average pace of 60%.
Following updates from private firms on Thursday, Safras raised its Brazilian crop projection by 0.52 MMT to 179.28 MMT.
March 2026 soybeans closed at $10.57 3/4, up 4 3/4 cents. The nearby cash price was $9.87 1/4, up 5 1/4 cents. May 2026 soybeans closed at $10.68 3/4, up 4 1/2 cents. July 2026 soybeans closed at $10.81 1/4, up 5 cents.
Markets will be closed on Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday and will reopen Monday evening.