1.   The persistent drought in South America continues to excite traders on the soya market in Chicago.

2.   The soya market followed in its wake.

3.   Prices fell back on the Rotterdam market, affected by losses on the Chicago soya market, itself dragged lower by falling US grains prices.

4.   Speculators ploughed into the soya market because of expectations that increased maize prices would encourage farmers to plant maize instead of soya.

5.   The fever in the Chicago soya market spread to grains.