CBOT soybeans end mixed as traders adjust spread positions

CHICAGO, April 14 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures closed mixed on Monday, with the nearby contracts ending lower on profit-taking while deferred, new-crop contracts firmed a bit.

• CBOT May soybeans SK25 settled down 1 cent at $10.41-3/4 per bushel, retreating after reaching $10.49-1/2, the contract's highest since Feb. 27.

• But CBOT November SX25 soybeans, representing the 2025 soybean crop, closed up 3 cents at $10.28-1/2 a bushel.

• Inter-market spreading was also a feature as soybeans gained relative to heavier losses in soymeal SMv1 and soyoil BOv1 futures. The moves could reflect brokers locking in crush margins by buying soybean futures and selling soymeal and soyoil futures, one analyst said.

• CBOT May soymeal SMK25 ended down $2.50 at $297.10 per short ton and May soyoil BOK25 fell 1.03 cents to end at 46.32 cents per pound.

• The USDA reported export inspections of U.S. soybeans in the latest week at 546,348 metric tons, in line with trade expectations for 375,000 to 750,000 tons. USDA/I

• Ahead of the USDA's weekly crop progress report due later on Monday, analysts surveyed by Reuters on average expected the government to report soybean planting progress as 3% complete.

• Ahead of monthly U.S. soybean crushing data due on Tuesday from the National Oilseed Processors Association, analysts surveyed by Reuters on average expect the trade group to report that its members crushed 197.602 million bushels of soybeans in March, up 11.1% from February and up 0.6% from March 2024.

• U.S. markets will be closed on Friday in observance of the Good Friday holiday.

• China's soybean imports tumbled in March to their lowest for the month since 2008, customs data showed, as tariff-weary processors shied away from U.S. beans and delays in Brazil's harvest reduced shipments.