By Ilan Brat

CHICAGO--U.S. soybean futures climbed on better-than-expected export demand.

Corn and wheat also were higher.

Soybeans gained after the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported export sales commitments above analyst expectations. Soybeans have come off a recent high due to an improvement in the weather following an extremely rainy June and early July that threatened to damage the crop. Analysts said the lower prices may have bolstered foreign demand for the oilseeds, though a strengthening of the dollar could cap it by making U.S. supplies less affordable for foreign buyers. Strong soybean meal demand also bolstered soybean contracts.

With electronic trading paused until the open-outcry session starts at 9:30 a.m. EDT, Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures for August delivery added 15 1/4 cents, or 1.6%, to $9.98 1/4 a bushel.

Corn futures also rose partly on better than expected export sales.

CBOT September corn rose 3 1/2 cents, or 1%, to $3.71 1/4 a bushel.

CBOT September wheat increased 5 3/4 cents, or 1.2%, to $5.02 a bushel.

Write to Ilan Brat at ilan.brat@wsj.com

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