CBOT soyabean futures fall on sluggish exports

Chicago soyabean futures dropped sharply on Monday as market worries about coronavirus disruptions to livestock feed markets were exasperated by sluggish exports and rising US-China tensions.

Equities and oil prices fell on Monday as a dispute between Washington and Beijing over the coronavirus outbreak fueled fears of a new trade war, only months after the world's two largest economies signed an agreement to defuse a tariff battle.

Agriculture was a key part of the trade pact signed in January, raising hopes that China, the world's biggest soyabean importer, would ramp up purchases of US supplies.

CBOT July soyabean futures ended the day down 13 cents, settling at $8.36-1/2 per bushel.