
Soybean futures stabilise on US-China trade war truce; wheat dips on USDA report
The most-active CBOT soybean contract eased 0.3% to $10.68 a bushel, as of 0248 GMT, following three sessions of gains.
On Monday, China and the US reached a deal to temporarily reduce reciprocal tariffs, boosting hopes for revived Chinese demand for US farm goods.
The USDA's supply and demand report estimated 2025-26 US soybean ending stocks at 295 million bushels, lower than analysts' 362 million bushels estimate.
For 2024-25, US soy stocks were pegged at 350 million bushels, below April's forecast of 375 million bushels and analysts' expectations of 369 million bushels.
China's benchmark Dalian soymeal futures rose 0.21% on the bullish USDA report, shrugging off news of a temporary truce in the China-US trade war, as analysts cautioned that uncertainty could persist ahead of the US soybean marketing season.
The Asian nation projected a decline in soybean imports for the 2025/26 crop year due to reduced soymeal use in its livestock sector.
Wheat fell 0.58% to $5.12 a bushel, near lifetime lows, pressured by high US and global wheat stocks in the USDA report, weak exports, and favourable weather.
The USDA estimated both US and global 2025-26 wheat ending stocks above analyst estimates.
Soybeans, corn up on US-China trade optimism; wheat flat
'We think that wheat has overshot to the downside enough and US wheat is the cheapest in the world so it will find solid demand at these levels,' said Ole Houe, director of advisory services at IKON Commodities in Sydney. Corn dipped 0.06% to $4.48 per bushel.
'Corn is trying to react to a bullish global USDA report longer term versus an increase in the US corn stocks and market doing very little as they balance each other out,' Houe added.
The USDA projects US corn ending stocks at 1.415 billion bushels for September 1, 2025, down from 1.465 billion bushels in April, and below analysts' 1.443 billion bushels estimate.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
US to explore cooperation with Pakistan on critical minerals, hydrocarbons
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington looked forward to exploring cooperation with Pakistan on critical minerals and hydrocarbons, with his comments coming in a statement issued by the State Department on Pakistan's Independence Day. Why it's important Washington and Islamabad hailed a trade deal last month, which Pakistan said would result in lower tariffs and increased investment. Pakistan's Commerce Minister Jam Kamal has said Islamabad will offer U.S. businesses opportunities to invest in mining projects primarily in the southwestern Balochistan province through joint ventures with local companies, providing concessions such as lease grants. Barrick not acting as facilitator between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia for Reko Diq project, says CEO The province is home to key mining projects, including Reko Diq, run by mining firm Barrick Gold and believed to be one of the world's largest gold and copper mines. Key quotes 'We look forward to exploring new areas of economic cooperation, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and fostering dynamic business partnerships,' Rubio said late on Wednesday. US market: Pakistan exporters poised to gain notable competitive edge 'The United States deeply appreciates Pakistan's engagement on counterterrorism and trade.' Context Before President Donald Trump's administration, Islamabad's relationship with Washington had cooled in recent years, as the U.S. drew closer to Pakistan's traditional adversary India to counter China's rise, among other factors. Washington also resented Islamabad over Afghanistan, especially under former President Joe Biden's administration, which oversaw a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the takeover of the country by the Taliban insurgency that Washington accused Islamabad of backing. Pakistan denied the charge. In recent months, Washington's ties with Islamabad have improved. Trump took credit for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after the Asian neighbors engaged in hostilities in May following an April attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan praised Trump while India maintained that New Delhi and Islamabad should resolve their issues directly without outside involvement. Counterterrorism talks The U.S. and Pakistan held the latest round of counterterrorism talks in Islamabad on Tuesday. Washington has designated separatist militant group Balochistan Liberation Army as a 'foreign terrorist organization.' 'The US-Pakistan counterterrorism dialogue joint statement is one of the most positive and effusive I've seen from these two countries on CT for quite a few years,' Michael Kugelman, a Washington-based South Asia analyst and writer for Foreign Policy magazine, said.


Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Russian rouble weakens towards 80 to dollar with Putin-Trump meeting in focus
The Russian rouble pulled away from a one-week high on Thursday to weaken towards 80 to the dollar, supported by hopes of positive U.S.-Russia talks this week but held back by reduced government FX interventions and declining export revenues. Russian markets have been jittery since U.S. President Donald Trump set an August 8 deadline for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face tightened sanctions. All eyes are now on the August 15 meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. 'It is impossible to predict the outcome of this meeting, which means the rouble rate in the coming days may experience increased volatility,' said Maxim Timoshenko of Russian Standard Bank. At 0930 GMT, the rouble was down 0.5% at 79.85 to the dollar, according to data compiled by LSEG based on over-the-counter quotes, and 0.3% weaker at 11.10 against China's yuan, the most traded foreign currency in Russia. Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was up 0.4% at $65.87 a barrel. Russia has lowered its net sales of foreign currency this month, reducing support for the rouble. Timoshenko cited deferred demand for imports, declining export revenues and budget issues - Russia's January-July budget deficit leapt to 2.2% of GDP, or 4.9 trillion roubles ($61.4 billion), - as other factors weighing on the rouble.


Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Japan rubber futures end lower on weaker Tokyo equities, stronger yen
TOKYO: Japanese rubber futures dropped more than 2% on Thursday, pressured by lacklustre Tokyo equities and a stronger yen, though expectations of steady domestic demand helped limit the decline. The Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for January delivery ended down 7.2 yen, or 2.2%, at 317.2 yen ($2.16) per kg. The rubber contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) for January delivery fell 230 yuan to settle at 15,635 yuan ($2,179) per metric ton. Japan's Nikkei share average fell 1.45%, pulling back from a record high scaled in the previous session, on concerns over a potential shift in Bank of Japan policy and a stronger yen. 'Rubber prices have been following the Japanese equities market this week, particularly stocks related to domestic consumption,' said Jiong Gu, an analyst at Yutaka Trusty Securities, adding that the strong yen was also a selling factor. Japan rubber futures track oil higher Still, the losses were capped as inventory drawdowns were steady in July, raising views of strong domestic demand, he said. The yen traded at 146.53 against the U.S. dollar, compared with around 147.93 yen during the Asian trade late on Wednesday. A stronger currency makes yen-denominated assets less affordable to overseas buyers. The dollar weakened to a two-week low against a basket of major peers on shifting expectations of U.S. rate cuts, with comments from the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also sparking some wagers on an outsized 50 basis point cut. The front-month rubber contract on Singapore Exchange's SICOM platform for September delivery last traded at 168.3 U.S. cents per kg, down 0.6%.