The Chicago soybean complex slipped on Tuesday, tracking crude oil price losses and following reports of a possible deadline extension for US refiners to meet their 2025 renewable fuel standard obligations.
The September soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade fell by a further 0.41% to $12.11 per bushel in early trade. The corresponding soybean oil contract dropped 1.79% to 65.93 cents per pound, weakening for a third straight session.
The US Environmental Protection Agency reportedly plans to extend the Sep. 1 deadline for meeting RFS volumes by another 30 to 90 days. This has raised concerns that "the economic incentive supporting biodiesel and renewable diesel feedstock demand could soften," according to S&P Global.
"US biofuel demand has become an increasingly important component of soybean oil pricing, leaving CBOT futures particularly sensitive to changes in RFS policy and Renewable Identification Number values," the research firm said.
Prices also declined amid concerns over moderation in Chinese demand, as US President Donald Trump's threat of secondary sanctions against Iran's trading partners might dent US-China relations.
"Potential Trump administration's demands for China to stop buying Iranian crude oil may complicate the completion of the 25 million metric tons of US soybeans China has committed to making," Mark Soderberg of ADM Investor Services said.
China has scaled up purchases since late June, ahead of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's planned visit to the US next month.
Higher production estimates by Pro Farmer, following last week's crop tour, also weighed on sentiment. The agency forecasts US production at 4.57 billion bushels, higher than the US Department of Agriculture's estimate by 53 million bushels.
Meanwhile, September ethanol prices on the NYMEX held steady at $2.12 per gallon on Monday, following developments in US biofuel policy.