CBOT soybeans gain as crude oil rallies

CHICAGO, March 5 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures lifted on Thursday, supported by higher crude oil prices as the conflict in the Middle East continued to disrupt supply.

• Crude oil rose sharply on Thursday as the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz continued to disrupt Middle East supply and led some refineries in other parts of the world to cut output.

• Grain markets often react to movements in crude oil, partly because biofuel absorbs large amounts of soybean and corn as feedstocks.

• However, ample global crop supply and strength in the dollar remained curbs on grain prices.

• Brazil is harvesting what is widely expected to be a record soybean crop that could stall Chinese demand for U.S. beans.

• Bunge BG.N said it was exploring alternative shipping routes because of the Middle East conflict.

• The USDA reported weekly 2025/26 U.S. soybean export sales were 383,500 metric tons. Analysts expected 300,000 to 1 million metric tons. EXP/SOY

• CBOT May soybeans SK26 rose 9-3/4 cents to end at $11.79-1/4 per bushel.

• CBOT May soyoil BOK26 rose 2.11 cents to finish at 65.7 per pound, with all soyoil contracts notching lifetime highs.

• CBOT May soymeal SMK26 fell 60 cents to end at $309.30 per short ton.