China soymeal futures plunge amid macro selloff, trade warnings

Soymeal futures in China slumped on Friday as traders dumped positions amid a wider sell-off in the global market, with...

Soymeal futures in China slumped on Friday as traders dumped positions amid a wider sell-off in the global market, with Chinese futures exchanges adding to the move as they issued statements warning of market volatility, sources said.

Soymeal futures contracts on the Dalian Exchange fell 3-5% along the curve on Friday to their lowest level in more than three weeks, with March futures down 4.11% to CNY3,427/mt ($531/mt).

“It was largely following the overseas market overnight,” said a futures trader at a major trading house.

Several other trade sources echoed that assessment.

CBOT soybean futures dropped 15-20 c/bu on Thursday and continued to slide on Friday, down 18-25 c/bu in the early session.

Global equity and commodity prices have nosedived at the end of the week against the backdrop of rising yields in US treasuries, attracting funds to flock to the safer asset and abandon positions perceived to be riskier.

The moves meant four futures exchanges in China issuing statements that warned of increased market volatility, shaking confidence further and adding to the selloff.

“Market prices have fluctuated greatly in recent days. All member units are requested to strengthen investor education and risk prevention, and remind customers to participate in futures transitions rationally and compliantly,” Dalian Commodity Exchange said.

This was interpreted by traders as a signal to calm the market forcing traders to exit long positions.

“Prices rose too quickly. Everyone wants to slow down,” one trader said.

What to read next
The United States convened more than 50 countries in Washington this week for a critical minerals summit that delivered a flurry of new initiatives designed to reshape the geopolitics — and pricing mechanics — of minerals essential to semiconductors, electric vehicles and the defense supply chain.
Glencore’s share price fell sharply on Thursday February 5 after Rio Tinto confirmed it was no longer pursuing a potential merger, ending weeks of speculation about a combination that would have created one of the world’s largest mining companies.
The US laid out its strongest push yet to reshape global critical minerals supply chains at the inaugural Critical Mineral Ministerial in Washington on Wednesday February 4, where senior officials detailed plans for an allied trade bloc built on reference prices and enforceable price floors – a potential turning point for small, strategically important markets such as tungsten.
The proposal to increase the publication frequency from monthly to weekly comes amid increased volatility of copper on the London Metal Exchange, while copper scrap discounts have been shifting on a more regular basis. This more frequent assessment will enable Fastmarkets to reflect market dynamics in a timelier manner, as well as capture more spot […]
Fastmarkets is inviting feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for its PIX Pulp China Net indices as part of its announced annual methodology review process.
The publication of Fastmarkets’ MB-SB-0003 Antimony MMTA standard grade II, ddp China, yuan/tonne price assessment for Friday February 30 was delayed because of a reporter error.