Grains started the week in negative territory with soybeans facing the biggest brunt of the selling pressure. In outside markets, crude oil fell for a 4th consecutive session and equity futures were steady to weaker in early trade.
Soybeans got pressured overnight on improved crop weather in the U.S. Midwest and a "risk-off" mood in the broader commodity sector. Ahead of USDA's weekly crop progress report, early trade estimates were for the government to show U.S. soybean planting at 58 to 60 percent complete.
Overnight news saw some export tender activity. Taiwan’s MFIG purchasing group issued a tender to buy 40,000 to 65,000 MT of corn, while a group of Israeli buyers issued a tender to purchase 108,000 MT of corn. This morning USDA announced two export deals. Exporters sold 140,000 MT of new-crop soybeans to unknown destinations and a 20,000 MT deal for old-crop soybean oil.
In outside markets, the US dollar continued to climb higher this morning as the market starts to expect the US Fed to raise interest rates. The US dollar is at 2-month highs and posing problems for commodity prices in general. Crude oil in particular is off from its highs by $2 a barrel.
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