CBOT soybeans turn lower, USDA confirms China bought US supplies

CHICAGO, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures ended lower on Tuesday, in a setback from gains on Monday, traders said.

• Prices turned lower after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that exporters sold 336,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans to China for shipment in the 2025/26 season that ends on August 31.

• Traders earlier told Reuters that China's state stockpiler Sinograin bought 10 U.S. soybean cargoes this week, totalling around 600,000 metric tons.

• Talk about China's buying helped push up futures on Monday.

• U.S. soybeans remain costlier than newly harvested soybeans from Brazil, although their premium has narrowed due to a strengthening Brazilian real and weaker U.S. dollar, analysts said.

• CBOT March soybeans SH26 dropped 5-3/4 cents to $10.56-1/4 a bushel after rising earlier to the highest level since December 29.

• CBOT March soymeal SMH26 ended $0.40 lower at $299.50 per short ton, and March soyoil BOH26 fell 0.47 cent to 49.40 cents per pound after rising earlier to the highest point since December 15.