CBOT · CME Group · ZS futures · Local cash bids · Refreshed in session
$13.00
$ / bushel
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Nearby Sep '26 soybeans last closed near $13.00 · November new-crop near $13.14 · as of Sep 3 · refreshed every 30 minutes during trading hours — reload for the latest.
Last close · as of Sep 3 · live quotes above update in session
Contract
Close
Change
52-wk range
Nearby Sep '26
$13.00
+0.4%
$10.43–$13.07
November new-crop
$13.14
0.0%
$10.48–$13.24
Soybean futures are CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade) contracts that set the benchmark price per bushel of soybeans. The front-month contract tracks nearest delivery; November soybeans (ZSX) is the new-crop harvest benchmark producers use to forward-price. Your local cash price equals futures plus or minus basis. Soybean prices move mainly on the monthly USDA WASDE report, South American weather and harvest, the soybean crush (meal and oil), and Chinese export demand — see what’s priced in ahead of each report. Live CBOT prices below are refreshed every 30 minutes during trading hours — reload for the latest. Compare with live corn and wheat futures.
Soybean Seasonal Price TendencyHistorical pattern · current month highlighted · hover for context
5-yr weekly closes, indexed 0–100 (n=262).
Contract Specs
ExchangeCBOT / CME Group
Contract Size5,000 bushels
Tick Size¼¢/bu ($12.50/contract)
SymbolZS
Active MonthsJan, Mar, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Nov
Key Reports
WASDEMonthly (~10th) · highest impact
Crop ProgressWeekly Mon 4pm (Apr–Nov)
Acreage ReportLate June
Brazil harvestJan–Mar annually
Export SalesThu 7:30am CT
Using These Prices
Corn/bean ratioNov beans ÷ Dec corn
Break-even~$9.00–$11.00/bu avg
New cropNov = harvest benchmark
China windowsWatch Sep–Jan buying pace
US Soybean Use
Crush (domestic)~60% of US crop
Exports~40% of US crop
China demandLargest soy importer
Top export rivalBrazil (record crops)
Understanding Soybean Prices
Futures vs Cash — Two Different Numbers
The CBOT soybean futures price (ZS) is the global benchmark — a contract for delivery of 5,000 bushels at a future month, traded by speculators, processors, and elevators. The cash bid is what your local elevator pays today, in cash, for soybeans delivered there. The difference between cash and futures is the basis. Basis varies by location, season, and elevator competition — a strong positive basis means firm local demand; a wide negative basis means heavy supply or weak buyer interest. AGSIST shows both numbers on this page so you can see the full picture.
The CBOT Soybean Complex
CBOT soybean futures (ZS) are part of a three-market complex with soy meal (ZM, $/ton) and soy oil (ZL, ¢/lb). All three prices are linked by the crush margin: processors buy beans and sell meal and oil. When crush margins are strong, processors bid up beans; when margins compress, crush slows and bean demand weakens. Understanding all three prices together gives the complete demand picture beyond just export headlines.
China Demand & the Corn/Bean Ratio
China imports roughly 60% of globally traded soybeans annually. Aggressive Chinese buying windows — particularly September through January — are closely watched. The corn/bean ratio (November beans ÷ December corn) shows whether soybeans or corn pay more per planted acre. Above 2.6:1, soybeans historically earn more per acre; below 2.4:1, corn wins. AGSIST calculates this live so you can track it through the winter planning season.
South America and the Two-Crop Year
Brazil and Argentina together export roughly 60% of the world's soybeans, creating a two-season global market. Brazil plants October–December, harvests January–April; Argentina's critical pod-fill window is November–March. La Niña years bring dry conditions to Argentina and can subtract 5–15 million metric tons from global supply, sharply supporting US prices. Record Brazilian crops create export competition that pressures US basis from February through May.
Soybean Prices — Common Questions
What's the difference between soybean futures and cash bids?
Soybean futures are the CBOT exchange price (ZS contracts) for delivery at a future month — the global price benchmark used by elevators, processors, and traders worldwide. Cash bids are what your local elevator pays today, in cash, for soybeans delivered there. The difference between cash bid and futures is called the basis. AGSIST shows both on this page: the nearest-delivery contract and November new-crop futures up top, plus local cash bids by ZIP code in the basis card so you can see what your nearest elevators are paying right now.
What is the soybean futures price today?
The live price above shows the nearest CBOT soybean futures contract (ZS), refreshed every 30 minutes during trading hours — reload for the latest. The "Today's Market Read" block synthesizes price position, corn/bean ratio signal, estimated crush margin, and seasonal context — updated with every price refresh.
What is the corn/bean ratio and how do I use it for planting?
The corn/soybean ratio — November bean futures divided by December corn futures — compares relative revenue potential per acre. Above 2.6:1 soybeans earn more per acre historically; below 2.4:1 corn wins; 2.4–2.6 is neutral. The live ratio is in the Key Ratios widget above. Always pair it with your local breakeven and rotation requirements — the ratio is directional, not definitive.
What is the gross crush spread and why does it matter?
The gross crush spread estimates the processing margin per bushel of soybeans. One bushel yields ~44 lbs of meal and ~11 lbs of oil. Crushers buy beans and sell meal and oil — their margin is the difference between combined product value and bean cost. When crush margins are strong, processors bid aggressively for beans, supporting futures. AGSIST shows a live estimated gross board crush from real-time soy complex prices.
What does November soybean futures mean?
November soybean futures (ZSX) is the new-crop harvest benchmark — what the market expects soybeans to be worth when they come off the combine in fall. It's the primary contract used to forward price new-crop soybeans during winter and spring planning. A November bean price above your full cost of production is a forward-selling opportunity worth evaluating.
How does South American production affect US soybean prices?
Brazil and Argentina together export roughly 60% of globally traded soybeans, making their crop conditions a critical price driver. A drought in Argentina's key provinces (Buenos Aires, Cordoba) or a poor Brazil crop tightens global supply and supports US prices. La Niña years historically add $1–2/bu to US soybean prices. Conversely, record South American crops create direct export competition that pressures US basis from February through May.
When is the best time of year to sell soybeans?
Soybean prices historically weaken at US harvest (October) and during South American harvest (February–March) as export competition from Brazil intensifies. The seasonal tendency is for prices to recover from US harvest lows into spring and early summer as old-crop stocks tighten and new-crop weather uncertainty builds. The seasonal chart above illustrates these historical patterns with the current month highlighted. Chinese buying windows and South American weather can significantly override seasonal norms in any given year.
What moves soybean futures prices the most?
The biggest drivers: (1) USDA WASDE reports — monthly supply/demand that can move beans 30+ cents on surprises; (2) South American crop conditions — Brazil and Argentina drive global supply; (3) China import pace — the world's largest buyer; (4) crush demand — especially renewable diesel policy affecting soy oil; (5) US Dollar Index — a stronger dollar makes US beans more expensive on world markets; and (6) weekly USDA Export Sales every Thursday at 7:30 AM CT.
When is CBOT soybean futures open for trading?
CBOT soybean futures trade electronically Sunday through Friday — overnight session 7:00 PM to 7:45 AM CT, day session 8:30 AM to 1:20 PM CT. AGSIST refreshes prices every 30 minutes during weekday trading hours — reload for the latest. Weekend prices reflect the last Friday settlement. Major overnight moves often occur in response to South American weather models released outside US business hours.
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Prices from Yahoo Finance via GitHub Actions (delayed ~15 min). Chart shows Capital.com SOYBEAN CFD which tracks CBOT soybean futures; for exact ZS1! data use the TradingView link. Not financial advice. Verify with your elevator or broker before making marketing decisions.