2001 export sales of soybeans on Apr. 15 totaled 7.594 million tonnes while 2000 soybean export sales on this date totaled 5.054 million tonnes. This year s soybean sales on April 15 were significantly above the previous year s level of sales, but soybean meal sales were below last year s level. Meal sales totaled only 4.125 million tonnes, below last year s level of 4.76 million tonnes. Argentina s Ministry of Agriculture reported that 71 percent of the country s soybeans had been harvested by May 11, which was well ahead of the average for that week of 50 percent. Traders were looking for a drop in crush from last month, between 3.32 million tonnes and 3.43 million tonnes.
Traders say soybean crush is a reflection of strong soymeal demand.
Soybean Sale to China USDA, on May 17, reported 165,000 tonnes of soybeans for delivery to China. An optional origin contract provides that the origin of the commodity may be the U.S. or one or more other countries. The agreement provides for approximately 7 thousand of soybean oil. The PVO will provide school lunches to approximately 19,400 school children and to support health, environmental and civic education programs in Lebanon. The supply period for this donation is fiscal year 2001.