CBOT wheat settles higher on strong export sales

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures closed higher on Thursday, underpinned by strong export sales and weather risks in key growing areas.

• CBOT March soft red winter wheat WH25 settled up 3-1/2 cents to $5.77-3/4 per bushel.

• K.C. March hard red winter wheat KWH25 ended 6-3/4 cents higher at $5.98-1/4 per bushel.

• Minneapolis March spring wheat MWEH25 ended 2 cents higher at $6.16-3/4 per bushel.

• Traders are also monitoring cold fronts in the U.S. Plains and Black Sea region for potential freeze damage to winter wheat crops, though forecasts for snow are expected to insulate much of the dormant crop from blistering weather.

• U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered U.S. officials to begin talks on ending the war in Ukraine after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• Russia and Ukraine are major grain exporters and, while large Black Sea trade has continued during the conflict, a ceasefire may reduce export costs.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported weekly net export sales of wheat at 606,400 metric tons, above trade estimates for 200,000-600,000 tons.