GRAINS-U.S. soybeans firm after rain slows Midwest planting progress

27 May 2020, 17:24

* Wet weather in U.S. Midwest slows corn, soybean planting pace

* Positive COVID-19 case at Brazil port supports soybeans

* Wheat range-bound as northern Hemisphere weather watched (Rewrites throughout with U.S. market open, adds quote, updates prices, changes byline, changes dateline from PARIS/SINGAPORE)

By Karl Plume

CHICAGO, May 27 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures firmed on Wednesday as a slowdown in plantings in the Midwest and forecasts for more rain lifted prices to two-week highs, although technical selling kept a lid on gains.

Corn also edged higher after the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported slower-than-anticipated planting in a weekly crop progress update, but gains were capped by continued concerns about soft demand and ample supplies of the grain.

Winter wheat futures were mixed as traders weighed improved crop weather in parts of Europe, while spring wheat eased on accelerated plantings.

Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) July soybean futures were 3-1/4 cents higher at $8.50-1/4 a bushel by 12:12 p.m. CDT (1712 GMT) after hitting technical chart resistance at its 50-day moving average.

July corn was a penny higher at $3.20 a bushel, while CBOT July wheat fell 3-3/4 cents to $5.03 a bushel.

The USDA on Monday said soybean planting was 65% complete and corn was 88% seeded, both below average trade estimates.

"Planting progress is further behind than the trade thought and the weather going forward is a bit concerning. The market is concerned about whether we will get all the bean acres in," said Ted Seifried, chief ag market strategist for Zaner Group in Chicago.

After heavy precipitation across the Midwest in recent days, more rain is expected in parts of the region over the coming week, according to meteorologists.

Soybeans also drew some support from news that soybean exports at a berth in Brazil's large Paranagua port were temporarily halted after a ship crew member tested positive for the coronavirus.

Although port operations have resumed, the incident highlighted how the pandemic could upend global supply chains, potentially shifting more soybean demand to the United States.

(Additional reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris and Naveen Thukral in Singapore; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Kirsten Donovan and Cynthia Osterman)