CBOT soybeans tumble on weak demand but rise for the year

CHICAGO, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures took a dive on Wednesday, with low demand and expectations of a large soybean harvest in Brazil pressuring futures, analysts said. But, soybeans rose annually, with China returning to the U.S. market.

• The USDA reported net export sales of U.S. 2025-26 soybeans in the week ended December 18 at 987,100 metric tons, below a range of trade expectations for 1.4 million to 2.4 million tons.

• The CBOT reported 1,062 deliveries against the January SF26 soybean futures contract on first notice day, with no strong commercial stoppers. The CBOT reported seven deliveries against January soyoil BOF26 futures and no deliveries against January soymeal SMF26 futures.

• Trading remained light ahead of the New Year holiday, with many traders booking profits and exiting the market.

• CBOT March soybeans SH26 settled 14-3/4 cents lower at $10.47-1/2 a bushel.

• CBOT March SMH26 soymeal futures settled $2.90 cent lower at $299.40 per short ton.

• Most-active March soyoil BOH26 ended 0.88 cent lower at 48.56 cents per pound.

• For the year, most active soybeans Sv1 rose 3.66%.