Soybeans Hit Two-Week High

Soybean futures climbed above $11.3 per bushel, hitting a two-week high on signs of renewed Chinese import demand, although favorable US crop weather limited further upside. Reports indicate Chinese buyers are looking to secure US cargoes for fourth-quarter shipment, though traders say no firm deals have been confirmed yet. Markets have been closely monitoring Chinese purchasing activity following the May announcement that China would buy $17 billion of US agricultural products annually, alongside an existing commitment of 25 million metric tons of soybeans. Meanwhile, widespread rain and warm temperatures across the US Midwest have generally benefited crop development over the past week, reinforcing expectations of adequate global supply. The USDA also rated 66% of US soybeans in good-to-excellent condition, up one percentage point from a week earlier. A sharp decline in crude oil prices after an outline US-Iran peace deal added further pressure on grain and oilseed markets.