Soybeans retreated in Chicago with weaker exports.

Soybeans closed lower at the Chicago Stock Exchange, reflecting weaker U.S. export data and recent information on the processing of the grain in Argentina. According to TF Agroeconômica, the market gave back part of the gains observed on Christmas Eve, although the weekly performance was still positive. At the close of the day, the January contract retreated 0.38%, quoted at US$ 10,58.75 per bushel, while the March contract fell 0.30%, to US$ 10,72.50 per bushel. January soybean meal registered a decrease of 0.33%, at US$ 303.7 per short ton, and soybean oil gave up 0.65%, closing at US$ 48.72 per pound. Despite the negative daily movement, prices interrupted a sequence of three consecutive weeks of declines. The pressure on prices was linked to the reality of U.S. export numbers and the absence of new official reports of soybean purchases by China. As of December 11, U.S. soybean exports accumulated a 33% contraction compared to the same period the previous year. Before the ...