Soybean export sales and price fluctuations

Soybean oil futures showed mixed trading with slight gains on Friday after declines on Thursday. The USDA reported export sales data for the week of July 9, showing old crop soybean sales of 188,274 MT (a 3-week high but down 30.74% from 2025) and new crop sales of 1.77 MMT (a marketing year high). China was a major buyer, purchasing 133,900 MT of old crop and 1.056 MMT of new crop soybeans, with additional sales to Egypt and unknown destinations. Soybean oil export sales totaled 228,235 MT, while bean oil bookings were net negative. The USDA also announced a private export sale of 136,000 MT of 2026/27 soybeans to China. A Bloomberg survey of traders ahead of the WASDE report estimated old crop bean stocks down 3 million bushels and new crop stocks up 22 million bushels. Cash soybean prices edged lower, with the national average at $11.55 per bushel.