While corn saw a big boost in this month’s WASDE report, soybeans are looking at the lowest acres in several years.
Market analyst Brian Hoops explains why.
“On the flip side, because we planted more corn acres, you had less soybean acres planted; the smallest soybean acres since 2019. Even though you had a new record yield for soybeans, the smaller harvested acres took away over 150 million bushels of supply, a pretty sizable amount, and we pushed sharply higher. Now the question is, where do we go from here?”
A social media post this week by President Trump sent waves through the soybean market. He urged China to return to the buying table, but it is a move many analysts feel is unlikely to happen.
Related Stories
USDA’s February WASDE report, analysts expect minimal price movement as grain stocks remain steady. Traders weigh renewed Chinese soybean purchases, South American weather, acreage shifts, and upcoming USMCA trade talks.
Federal assistance has helped, but the most recent row-crop losses remain on producers’ balance sheets.
The EPA has approved over-the-top dicamba applications for the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons, outlining new rules that impact herbicide use for U.S. crop producers.
Seasonal price patterns can inform soybean marketing timing, particularly when harvest prices appear unusually strong or weak.
The USDA’s February WASDE report looms as the CME Ag Economy Barometer shows declining farmer confidence, and more ag industry groups calling for swift policy action.
The phone call injected optimism into the soybean market, but actual Chinese buying and its timing will ultimately determine the extent of U.S. agricultural export benefits.