CBOT soybeans higher on Chinese demand prospects, strong crush

CHICAGO, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures rose for a third consecutive day on Thursday to hover near the previous session's three-month high, as projections of Chinese buying and a strong soybean crush provided support, but forecasts of high plantings capped prices.

• Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump said China was considering making an additional purchase of 8 million metric tons.

• Larger-than-expected U.S. soybean crushings last month fueled expectations among traders that the U.S. Department of Agriculture may need to tighten its carryover outlook.

• The crush in January reached its highest level on record for the first month of the year, while soyoil stocks ballooned to their highest level since April 2023, according to National Oilseed Processors Association data issued on Tuesday.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture projected soybean plantings for 2026 at 85.0 million acres, up from 81.2 million this year - a six-year low - and slightly above an analyst average estimate of 84.9 million.

• CBOT March soybeans SH26 closed 7-1/2 cents higher to $11.41 per bushel.

• CBOT March soyoil BOH26 climbed 1.09 cents to end at 59.68 cents per pound.

• CBOT March soymeal SMH26 finished 90 cents lower to $304.80 per short ton.