CBOT soybeans close higher amid weather concerns

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures closed higher on Thursday after spending the day chopping up and down, as weather concerns in export powerhouse Argentina supported futures. However, futures remained under pressure from dismal export sales and a rapid Brazilian harvest.

• CBOT March soybeans SH25 settled up 2-1/4 cents to $10.30 per bushel.

• CBOT March soymeal SMH25 ended down $1.40 to $292.7 per short ton.

• March soyoil BOH25 rose 0.59 cent to 46.25 cents per pound.

• Yield losses from hot, dry conditions in recent months across Argentina's soy belt have added a boost to prices, though improved rainfall during February has helped slash the dryness.

• Farmers in neighboring Brazil are rapidly harvesting what is expected to be a bumper crop, adding pressure to soy prices as buyers shift purchases of soy to South America.

• Brazilian crop agency Conab lowered its forecast for Brazil's 2024/25 soybean crop to 166.01 million vs. 166.32 million tons in its previous forecast.

• Conditions will remain favorable for fieldwork in much of Brazil, Commodity Weather Group said.

• The USDA reported weekly net export sales of soybeans at 209,800 metric tons, below trade expectations for 300,000-800,000 tons.

• Net soybean sales were the second lowest since last fall's harvest.