The U.S. agricultural export market showed mixed activity for the week ending Jan. 1, 2026, according to the weekly U.S. Export Sales report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
Wheat net sales rose 24% from the previous week to 118,700 metric tons for the 2025/2026 marketing year, driven largely by increased purchases from the Philippines, Mexico, and Peru. However, exports fell 60% to 172,000 metric tons, with the Philippines, Mexico, and Japan as the primary destinations. Net sales reductions for the 2026/2027 year were reported for Peru.
Corn sales hit a marketing-year low at 377,600 metric tons, down 49% from the prior week and 76% from the four-week average. South Korea, Japan, and Mexico led the buying, though reductions for unknown destinations and Panama offset gains. Corn exports remained steady at 1.4 million metric tons but were 12% below the recent average, with Mexico and Japan as top destinations.
Sorghum net sales increased noticeably to 229,900 metric tons, supported by strong demand from China and Spain. Exports reached a marketing-year high of 193,900 metric tons, primarily to China and Spain.
Soybean net sales declined 26% to 877,900 metric tons, with China, Egypt, and Indonesia as leading buyers. Despite the drop, exports rose 17% from the prior four-week average to 1.1 million metric tons, mainly heading to China and Egypt.
Rice net sales decreased 24% to 17,400 metric tons, while exports climbed 38% to 44,000 metric tons, with Japan and the Dominican Republic as key markets.
Cotton upland net sales fell 27% to 98,000 running bales, with Vietnam and Pakistan among the top buyers. Exports increased 10% to 154,000 running bales, led by Vietnam and Pakistan.
In hides and skins, net sales for the 2026 marketing year totaled 274,000 pieces, predominantly for China and Thailand. Exports for the period ending Dec. 31 declined 15% from the prior year.
Beef net sales for 2026 reached 10,600 metric tons, mainly to South Korea and Mexico, while exports dropped 14% to 697,000 metric tons. Pork net sales totaled 27,700 metric tons, with Mexico and Japan as primary buyers, and exports declined 8% to 1.5 million metric tons.
These figures reflect ongoing shifts in global demand and supply chain dynamics, underscoring the importance of stable export markets for U.S. producers amid fluctuating commodity prices and international trade conditions.
