Soybean futures ended the trading session on Friday, April 18, 2026, with modest gains, according to settlement data. The move higher came as weekly regulatory data showed large speculators reducing their bullish bets.
Most contracts closed up 0.5 to 4.75 cents. The March contract, however, posted a weekly loss of 8.5 cents. The national average cash price for soybeans rose 4 cents to $11.02, data from cmdtyView shows.
Also read: Cotton Futures Reverse Early Losses to Close Higher
Speculators Pull Back on Soybean Bets
Data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) revealed a shift in trader positioning. In the week ending April 14, managed money traders—a category that includes hedge funds—cut 14,479 contracts from their net long position in soybean futures and options.
This reduction was driven primarily by long positions being closed. The group’s net long position now stands at 175,151 contracts. The pullback suggests some traders are taking profits or reducing exposure amid mixed market signals.
Also read: Soybean Futures Mixed as Export Sales Hit Low
Weekly Export Pace Lags
U.S. soybean export commitments for the 2025/26 marketing year total 38.15 million metric tons (MMT), according to the latest weekly sales report. That figure is 18% lower than the same period a year ago.
Commitments have reached 91% of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) full-year forecast. The current pace is behind the five-year average of 96% for this point in the season. Actual exports shipped are at 31.33 MMT, or 75% of the USDA’s projection. That also lags the average pace of 85%, though the report noted shipments have recently picked up.
Byproduct Markets Show Divergence
Soybean meal and oil futures, key processing byproducts, moved in opposite directions. Soymeal futures settled Friday anywhere from 90 cents lower to $3.00 higher, leaving the market essentially flat for the week.
Soy oil futures were under pressure, falling 20 to 117 points. The front-month contracts led the decline. Industry watchers note that a sharp drop in crude oil prices, which fell $9.12 per barrel on Friday, weighed on vegetable oil markets. The crude sell-off followed news that Iran agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the daily loss, the May soy oil contract still gained 107 points for the week.
CFTC data showed speculators were active in these markets, too. Managed money increased its net long position in soymeal by 42,203 contracts to 135,743. For bean oil, the group trimmed its record net long position by 2,362 contracts to 148,320.
Closing Prices and Market Outlook
Key soybean futures settled as follows on Friday, April 18:
- May 2026 Soybeans: $11.67 1/4, up 3 1/2 cents
- July 2026 Soybeans: $11.83, up 2 1/2 cents
- November 2026 Soybeans: $11.56 1/2, up 1/2 cent
The new crop cash price was $10.94 1/4, up 1/2 cent.
The market faces competing forces. Slower export sales and a reduction in speculative long interest could cap rallies. But strong domestic demand for soymeal and the potential for weather-related planting delays in the coming weeks provide underlying support. What this means for investors is a market likely to remain sensitive to daily news and weekly USDA reports.
For ongoing analysis, traders can refer to official data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.
