GRAINS-Soybeans regain ground on dollar slide, U.S.-China trade hopes

ReutersJan 21, 2026 1:52 PM

PARIS/BEIJING, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Chicago soybean futures rose on Wednesday as a lower dollar and talks between U.S. and Chinese officials boosted export sentiment and shifted attention from a diplomatic dispute over Greenland, analysts said.

Wheat and corn also rebounded from day-earlier falls, with mixed weather conditions in major global production zones lending additional support.

The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Sv1 was up 1.0% at $10.64 a bushel, as of 1339 GMT, after reaching its highest in over a week.

There was also specific concern that any retaliatory duties from Europe could dent large flows of U.S. soybeans and corn towards the region.

However, a slide in the dollar index =USD, amid the market jitters over Greenland, helped boost the export competitiveness of U.S. crops.

Comments by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, meanwhile, revived hopes for ongoing demand for U.S. soybeans from China following a bilateral trade truce in late October.

Bessent said he had met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, in what he called "positive" talks, adding that his Chinese counterpart had confirmed the completion of an initial U.S. soybean purchase commitment, which Washington has put at 12 million tons.

"Although curbed by the imminent arrival of another record harvest in Brazil, the soybean market welcomed the comments by the U.S. treasury secretary," Argus Media analysts said.

While ample global supply continued to cap grain prices, dry weather affecting corn and soybean crops in part of Argentina and cold weather in wheat production belts in the U.S. Plains and Black Sea region were also underpinning prices.

CBOT wheat Wv1 was up 1.1% at $5.15-3/4 a bushel, while corn Cv1 added 0.9% to $4.27-1/2 a bushel.

Weekly U.S. export inspection volumes reported on Tuesday, which were above market expectations for corn and near the high end of estimates for wheat and soybeans, also boosted demand sentiment. USDA/EST

Prices at 1339 GMT
	Last	Change	Pct Move
CBOT wheat Wv1	515.75	5.50	1.08
CBOT corn Cv1	427.50	3.75	0.88
CBOT soy Sv1	1064.00	11.00	1.04
Paris wheat BL2c1	190.75	1.25	0.66
Paris maize EMAc1	193.50	1.00	0.52
Paris rapeseed COMc1	476.50	2.25	0.47
WTI crude oil CLc1	60.74	0.38	0.63
Euro/dollar EUR=	1.17	0.00	0.08
Most active contracts - Wheat, corn and soy U.S. cents/bushel, Paris futures in euros per metric ton

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.