CBOT soybeans rise as strong crush demand overshadows export worries

CHICAGO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures firmed on Thursday as strong domestic demand offset pressure from ongoing trade tensions with top soy importer China.

• Trading remained cautious as key crop data was unavailable due to a government shutdown and ahead of an expected meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month. They are expected to discuss China's lack of U.S. soybean purchases.

• CBOT November soybeans SX25 settled 4-1/4 cents higher at $10.10-3/4 per bushel.

• CBOT December soymeal SMZ25 ended $1.00 higher at $276.90 per short ton while December soyoil BOZ25 rose 0.07 cent to end at 50.87 cents per pound.

• The National Oilseed Processors Association reported on Wednesday that its members crushed 197.863 million bushels of soybeans in September, a record for the month and the fourth largest for any month on record. The total topped all estimates in a Reuters poll of analysts.

• China has yet to secure much of its soybean supply for December and January as high premiums for Brazilian cargoes discourage buyers, a development that could prompt Beijing to tap state reserves to meet near-term needs, three trade sources said

• Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the U.S. could supply South American countries with soybeans for crushing, but did not provide details.