Soybeans close slightly lower after US report.

Soybean futures ended the week slightly lower after the release of the planted area report in the United States, which confirmed a small expansion in cultivated area, in line with market expectations.

According to an analysis by StoneX, soybeans continue to be favored over corn because they require less nitrogen fertilizer, and also have more positive prospects for crushing and for the demand associated with biofuel production. There has also been an expansion of the area dedicated to soybeans in regions affected by problems with wheat, reinforcing this trend.

The quarterly inventory report showed volumes in line with or slightly above expectations, without significantly altering the assessment of fundamentals that are still considered firm for the US domestic market.

Weather conditions remain a focus of attention. Intense heat in the U.S. Midwest maintains concerns about crop yield potential, despite forecasts of rain in parts of the region.

In the international arena, the strengthening dollar continues to put pressure on the competitiveness of US soybean exports, adding a bearish factor to prices.