U.S. agricultural exports for the week ending January 8, 2026, demonstrated a mix of growth and variability, according to the latest U.S. Export Sales report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the USDA.
Soybean net sales surged to 2.06 million metric tons (MT) for the 2025/2026 marketing year, marking a significant increase from the previous week and a 54 percent rise over the prior four-week average. China remained the dominant buyer, accounting for 1.22 million MT of the sales, followed by Egypt, Mexico, Algeria, and the Netherlands. Exports also climbed sharply, reaching 1.64 million MT, up 47 percent from the previous week and 71 percent from the prior four-week average. The main destinations included China, Mexico, Algeria, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Corn exports also showed strength, with net sales totaling 1.14 million MT, a noticeable increase from the previous week despite a 10 percent dip compared to the prior four-week average. Mexico led the purchases with 265,800 MT, followed by Japan, Taiwan, Colombia, and Algeria. Corn exports rose 11 percent from the previous week to 1.56 million MT, with Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Ireland as the primary destinations.
Wheat net sales reached 156,300 MT, up 32 percent from the previous week but down 21 percent from the prior four-week average. The Philippines, Japan, Thailand, and Mexico were key buyers. Wheat exports increased 76 percent from the prior week to 303,300 MT.
Sorghum net sales climbed 26 percent to 290,700 MT, driven mainly by China, unknown destinations, Italy, Mexico, and Spain. However, exports declined 24 percent to 146,800 MT.
Rice net sales rose 66 percent to 58,100 MT, with Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Jordan as top destinations. Rice exports fell 8 percent to 40,500 MT but remained 13 percent above the prior four-week average.
Other commodities showed varied results. Barley net sales were minimal at 100 MT, while soybean cake and meal net sales increased to 340,600 MT. Soybean oil net sales dropped 43 percent to 14,100 MT. Cotton sales hit marketing-year highs, with upland cotton net sales at 339,700 running bales (RB) and pima cotton at 15,700 RB.
