Corn export sales remain on pace to meet USDA expectations

Global demand for U.S. corn continues to be strong. The USDA says corn export sales during the week ending April 23rd were above the previous week and larger than average thanks to competitive prices and solid trade relationships with key customers. Just outside of the final quarter of the marketing year, corn exports are on pace to meet the USDA’s record projection. Pork, wheat, soybean product, and rice sales were also up on the week. Export business is influenced by several factors, including the value of the dollar, domestic commodity prices, and geopolitics. The USDA’s next round of supply and demand numbers is out May 12th.

Physical shipments of corn and soybeans were more than what’s needed to meet projections for the current marketing year. The 2025/26 marketing year began June 1st for wheat, August 1st for cotton and rice, September 1st for corn, sorghum, and soybeans, and October 1st for soybean products. The marketing year for beef and pork is the calendar year.

Wheat came out at 226,100 tons (8.3 million bushels), up 75% from the week ending April 17th and substantially larger than the four-week average. Indonesia purchased 70,000 tons and Taiwan bought 40,100 tons. Approaching the final month of the 2025/26 marketing year, wheat exports are 906.9 million bushels, compared to 784.1 million in 2024/25. Sales of 156,700 tons (5.8 million bushels) for 2026/27 delivery were mainly to Taiwan (66,400 tons) and unknown destinations (42,000 tons).

Corn was reported at 1,597,800 tons (62.9 million bushels), 21% higher than the previous week and 22% above the four-week average. Colombia picked up 420,300 tons and Mexico purchased 261,400 tons. Late in the third quarter of the marketing year, corn exports are 2.98 billion bushels, compared to 2.313 billion a year ago.