CBOT soybeans dip, traders adjust positions ahead of US crop reports

CHICAGO, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures closed lower on Thursday as traders adjusted positions before the release of highly anticipated U.S. crop data next week, analysts said.

• Analysts on average expect the U.S. Department of Agriculture will slightly lower its estimates for the country's soybean production and yields from November in a report due out on Monday, according to a Reuters poll.

• The agency will also issue quarterly data on U.S. grain and soy stocks as of December 1.

• In a daily reporting system, the USDA confirmed that exporters sold 132,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans to China. Traders said there was talk of bigger sales.

• The USDA reported 2025-26 U.S. soybean export sales were 877,900 metric tons in the week that ended on January 1. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected 750,000 to 1.3 million metric tons.

• CBOT March soybeans SH26 closed down 5-3/4 cents at $10.61-1/4 a bushel after rising on Wednesday to the highest level since December 29.

• CBOT March soymeal SMH26 dropped $1.80 to close at $303.60 per short ton, and CBOT March soyoil BOH26 crept up 0.14 cent to finish at 49.45 cents per pound.