CBOT soybeans drop for fourth session as China demand concerns persist

CHICAGO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures ended lower for a fourth straight session on Wednesday, as traders shed some of their positions ahead of the holidays - despite fresh export sales news to China, market analysts said.

• CBOT January soybeans SF26 settled down 4-1/2 cents at $10.58-1/4 per bushel, the lowest since October 23.

• CBOT January soyoil BOF26 ticked up 0.160 cent to end at 48.52 cents per pound; most-active March soyoil BOH26 ended 0.140 cent higher at 49.05 cents per pound.

• And CBOT soymeal futures closed lower, with January SMF26 settling $4.20 lower at $298.20 per short ton and most-active March SMH26 settling down $4.10 at $302.00 per short ton.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported sales of 323,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans for the 2025/26 marketing year - with 198,000 tons to China and 125,000 tons for "unknown destinations."

• U.S. farmers and traders have closely watched China's demand for American agricultural goods since President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping struck a trade truce in late October.

• A partial recovery in crude oil prices also failed to lift soybeans, amid concern that China's demand for U.S. crops could be capped.