CIF/FOB Gulf Grain-Soybean, corn barge bids firm, following freight up

CHICAGO, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Basis bids for corn and soybeans shipped by barge to the U.S. Gulf Coast firmed on Thursday, as barge rates along the Mississippi and Illinois River climbed, traders said.

Barge freight rates continued to firm along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, as water levels rose in some areas and drafts were cut due to navigational delays caused by fog, sources said. BG/US

Illinois river freight rates remain inverted, market sources said.

One trader said he was watching for any changes in China's normal corn or buying pattern, as possible reaction to the trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. trade representative, Jamieson Greer, said he will review China's compliance with a "Phase 1" trade deal signed during Trump's first term in which Beijing agreed to buy more American farm products.

Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures climbed to their highest level since October on Thursday, while corn and soy futures ended nearly flat.

CIF Gulf soybean barges loaded in February traded at 70 cents CBOT March SH25 futures.

CIF Gulf soybean barges loaded in February were bid 1 cent higher than Wednesday at 70 cents over CBOT March SH25 futures.

FOB export premiums for February soybean loadings were offered up 5 cents at 84 cents over March futures.

CIF February corn barge bids were bid up 2 cents at 75 cents over CBOT March CH25 futures, and February corn export premiums were offered 1 cent higher at 80 cents over futures.

For displays of CIF basis, click on the codes in brackets:
U.S. CIF Gulf soybeans GRYM
U.S. CIF Gulf corn GRYN
U.S. CIF Gulf SRW wheat GRYO
U.S. CIF Gulf HRW wheat GRYP
For displays of FOB basis, please click on the following codes in brackets:
U.S. FOB Gulf corn GRZC
U.S. FOB Gulf soybeans GRZD
U.S. FOB Gulf SRW wheat GRZE
U.S. FOB Gulf HRW wheat GRZF

LINKS Corn prices page:   cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageid=corn-cash-market
Wheat prices page:  cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageid=wheat-cash-market
U.S. barge freight                  BG/US
U.S. export sales estimates         USDA/EST
U.S. grain export summary           GRA/U
Brazil soybean export prices        SYBS
Brazil corn export prices           SYBX
Argentina grain prices              GRA/ARG
Russia grain prices                 GRA/RU