CBOT soybean futures retreated from four-week highs, primarily pressured by profit-taking and expectations of higher-than-anticipated soybean planting area in the U.S. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have intensified again, with the U.S. President stating that U.S. military forces have begun blocking vessels departing from Iranian ports. This has sparked market concerns over a sharp rise in fertilizer prices needed for corn planting, which may further encourage farmers to increase soybean planting area. The first soybean planting progress report of 2026 released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) showed that as of the week ending April 12, U.S. soybean planting progress reached 6%, significantly above the market expectation of 2%, and well above both the 2% recorded a year ago and the five-year average of 2%.