Soybean meal hits record as US drought cuts crop

Soybean-meal futures in China advanced to a record on concern that the worst US drought in 56 years may cut oilseed supplies available to the biggest importer. Soybeans in Dalian, Liaoning province, climbed to the highest level since 2008.

Meal for January delivery rose as much as 3 percent to 4,361 yuan ($687) a metric ton on the Dalian Commodity Exchange, the highest price for a most-active contract since trading began in July 2000. The contract ended at 4,341 yuan a ton.

"The US drought and a reduction in global crops are the backdrop," Shi Yan, an analyst at Xinhu Futures Co, wrote in an e-mailed report. "As global prices jump, domestic prices for spot and futures markets have to follow."