CBOT soybeans rise on hot, dry South American weather

CHICAGO, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures edged up on Thursday as hot, dry weather in parts of Argentina and Brazil, two leading producers of the oilseed, supported prices.

• CBOT March soybeans SH25 settled up 1-1/2 cents at $10.12 per bushel.

• The spot January soybean contract SF25, which expires on Jan. 14, ended up 1-1/4 cents at $9.99-1/2 a bushel.

• CBOT March soymeal SMH25 rose $3.00 to end at $319.90 per short ton while March soyoil BOH25 fell 0.09 cent to settle at 40.27 cents per pound.

• Hot, dry weather is expected to continue over the coming weeks in Argentina and Brazil, according to Commodity Weather Group.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to report weekly export sales of soybeans for the week ended Dec. 26 at 500,000-1,200,000 metric tons, according to a Reuters poll of analysts.

• The agency is expected to issue its weekly report at 7:30 a.m. CST (1330 GMT) on Friday, a day later than normal due to Wednesday's federal holiday.

(Reporting by Renee Hickman)

((renee.hickman@thomsonreuters.com))