Global grain and oilseed markets

Soybean futures in the U.S. rose slightly on Friday after a week of fluctuations, during which Chinese purchases of American produce led prices to a 17-month high, but then doubts about whether China could continue such purchases halted the growth. This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that China purchased over 1.5 million tons of American soybeans. Traders said they expected deals of this volume even before the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported them and had already largely factored in China's purchases in the market. "They are buying, and it's already behind us," said Don Roose, president of US Commodities in Iowa. "We would not be surprised if the volume of Chinese purchases in the U.S. turns out to be more of a trickle than a flow," said Rod Baker, analyst at Bendigo Agribusiness Insights. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on Thursday that China also purchased 132,000 tons of American white wheat. According to traders, this deal did not cause ...