CBOT soybean futures rise on crude oil, fertilizer disruptions

CHICAGO, March 19 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures rose on Thursday on expectations for improving demand from biofuels producers amid the Middle East conflict, as well as impacts to fertilizer supplies.

• Brent oil prices LCOc1 jumped above $119 a barrel after Iran attacked energy facilities across the Middle East following Israel's strike on its South Pars gas field. O/R

• Analysts said soybeans had tied themselves to rising oil prices through renewable fuels. GRA/

• The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has cut off critical nitrogen fertilizer supplies from the Gulf to the world's farmers, supporting grain and oilseed prices, analysts said.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported net weekly U.S. soybean export sales for 2025/26 for the week ended on March 12 at 304,808 metric tons, below analyst estimates.

• CBOT May soybeans SK26 settled 6-3/4 cents higher at $11.68-1/2 per bushel.

• CBOT May soyoil BOK26 ended down 0.12 cent at 65.41 cents per pound.

• CBOT May soymeal SMK26 rose $10.80 to finish at $332.50 per short ton.