Export sales increase for wheat and corn, soybeans hit marketing-year low

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Export sales increase for wheat and corn, soybeans hit marketing-year low

The USDA says export sales for wheat and corn were up on the week, while soybeans declined.

The jump in export sales for corn, wheat, and some other commodities was likely a move to get ahead of the holiday slowdown.  Soybeans, however, hit a marketing year low following measurable reductions by unknown destinations.

Export sales for wheat were at 612,400 metric tons (22.5 mil bushels), up 34 percent from the previous week and up 64 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were primarily for Mexico, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.  There were also net sales of 12,600 MT for 2025/2026 to Mexico.  Exports of 376,200 MT were down 7 percent on the week.

Corn was reported at 1,711,300 MT (67.37 mil bushels). Sales were up 46 percent from the previous week and 39 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were primarily for Mexico, Colombia, Japan, unknown destinations, and South Korea.  Exports of 1,123,900 MT were up 7 percent from the previous week.

Soybean sales were a marketing-year low, with sales reported at 978,400 MT (35.95 million bushels), down 31 percent from the previous week and 47 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were primarily for China, Spain, Egypt, Taiwan, and Mexico.  Exports were down 7 percent from the previous week and down 22 percent from the 4-week average.

Rice sales were down 11 percent from the previous week at 91,600 MT, with increases for Iraq, Mexico, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Canada.  Exports of 95,600 MT were up 99 percent from the previous week and up 25 percent on the 4-week average.

Cotton sales were reported at 279,100 RB, up 43 percent from the previous week and up 33 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were primarily for Turkey, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.  Exports of 13,400 RB, a marketing-year high, were up 11 percent from the previous week and up 65 percent from the prior 4-week average.

Beef and pork were down significantly, which is typical for this time of year as buyers start to ramp up their purchases for 2025 delivery.

Beef net sales were marked at 1,100 MT and were down 85 percent from the previous week and 81 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were primarily for Japan, Mexico, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Guatemala.  Exports of 16,500 MT were up 4 percent from the previous week and up 10 percent from the prior 4-week average.

Pork sales for 2024 were reported at 7,100 MT and were down 37 percent from the previous week and 67 percent from the prior 4-week average.  Increases were primarily for Japan, Mexico, China, Colombia, and Honduras.  Exports of 32,400 MT were up 3 percent from the previous week and the 4-week average. 

Export demand is influenced by several factors, including the dollar’s value relative to other currencies and seasonal supply changes.

The USDA’s next round of supply and demand estimates is out January 10th.