CBOT soybeans higher on crude oil prices, strong crush pace

CHICAGO, May 4 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures climbed to a seven-week peak on a continuous chart on Monday on rising crude oil prices and strong demand from soybean crushing plants as tensions in the Middle East persisted.

• Traders will assess the U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly crop report that will be released after the market's close on Monday.

• For soybeans, analysts projected planting as 35% complete, according to a Reuters poll.

• Some farmers in the central and eastern U.S. grain belt have yet to begin planting corn and soybeans due to wet, cold conditions.

• Strength in crude oil during the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has supported grain prices as corn and soybeans are common feedstocks for biofuel.

• Brazil's soybean production is expected to reach 181.6 million metric tons in 2025/26, consultancy firm StoneX said on Monday, raising its outlook by around 1% from an April projection.

• Oil prices rose 4% on Monday on worries over supply disruptions due to renewed Gulf tensions, including a United Arab Emirates notice that its air-defense systems were responding to a missile threat and a fire on a South Korean vessel. O/R

• CBOT July soybeans SN26 rose 19-1/2 cents to $12.22-3/4 per bushel.

• CBOT May soyoil BON26 rose 1.37 cents to end at 76.53 cents per pound.

• CBOT May soymeal SMN26 ended $1.60 higher to $320.90 per short ton.