Soybean futures firm on Chinese purchases, crop concerns - CBOT USDA confirms 488,000 tonnes sold to China4 August 2026 4 August 2026 1 minute read 1 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media North AmericaChicago Board of Trade soybean futures turned mostly higher on Monday, bolstered by concerns over crop conditions and fresh export news, market analysts said. The US Department of Agriculture on Monday confirmed Chinese purchases of nearly half a million tons of soybeans, after traders said earlier that Chinese state trading companies had bought 14-16 cargoes on Friday totalling one million tons, reported Reuters. CBOT August soyoil ended up 1.57 cents at 68.69 cents per pound. If realised, it would be the lowest soybean rating for this point of the season in three years, according to USDA data. Rain is vital for the soybean crop as it reaches the pod-setting phase of its development.