CBOT soybeans reach three-month high on hopes for Chinese demand

CHICAGO, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures set a three-month high on Wednesday on increased hopes for U.S. sales to China, analysts said.

• Traders initially feared that President Donald Trump's decision to introduce a global 10% tariff - and his pledge to increase that to 15% - would cool buying interest from China. But Beijing's measured response to Trump's actions and the end of China's holiday break maintained hopes for more demand, traders said.

• There were unconfirmed rumors in the market this week of potential Chinese interest in U.S. soybean shipments from the Pacific Northwest, they said.

• Analysts expect the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday will report 2025-26 U.S. soybean export sales were 400,000 to 1 million metric tons in the week that ended on February 19, according to a Reuters poll.

• CBOT March soybeans SH26 rose 8-3/4 cents to close at $11.48-1/4 per bushel. May soybeans SK26 finished up 9-3/4 cents at $11.65 per bushel and set the highest level since November 19.

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it will send its proposal for new biofuel blending volumes mandates to the White House on Wednesday, and the rule likely will be finalized by the end of March.

• CBOT March soyoil BOH26 ended 0.23 cent higher at 60.26 cents per pound and set a contract high of 60.55 cents.

• CBOT March soymeal SMH26 soared $7.60 to close at $318.30 per short ton and touched the highest level since December 4.