Global grain and oilseed markets

Soybean futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange continued to rise on Thursday, following a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump that China had increased its target for soybean purchases from the U.S. as part of a trade truce. On Wednesday, soybean prices increased after Trump stated that China "is increasing soybean purchases to 20 million tons in the current season," suggesting that China might buy 8 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans in the 2025/26 season in addition to the approximately 12 million tons already booked since the trade truce was reached in late October. China, the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans, had exited the U.S. market during the protracted trade war between the two countries. Market participants are closely watching China for any new signs of demand. Many traders are optimistic that China will fulfill its verbal commitment to purchase additional soybeans, which, along with demand from other countries and soybean processing companies, will drastically ...