U.S. agricultural export sales weakened across major commodities during the week ending Feb. 19, with corn, soybeans and wheat all posting notable declines from the previous week, according to the latest Foreign Agricultural Service weekly U.S. Export Sales report.
Corn export sales for the 2025/2026 marketing year totaled 685,800 metric tons, down 53% from the previous week and 56% below the prior four-week average. Despite the sales decline, corn exports surged 21% to 1.97 million metric tons, with Japan leading destinations at 454,500 metric tons, followed by South Korea at 404,900 metric tons and Mexico at 394,800 metric tons.
Mexico dominated corn sales increases with 373,600 metric tons, while Japan added 171,700 metric tons. However, these gains were offset by reductions for unknown destinations totaling 425,900 metric tons.
Soybean net sales dropped 49% to 407,100 metric tons compared to the previous week and fell 30% below the four-week average. Egypt led soybean purchases with 225,800 metric tons, followed by Germany at 127,000 metric tons and China at 75,500 metric tons. Soybean exports declined 37% to 811,500 metric tons, with China receiving the largest share at 339,500 metric tons.
Wheat sales also weakened, falling 16% to 243,000 metric tons from the previous week and dropping 43% below the four-week average. Mexico topped wheat purchases at 135,300 metric tons, while Nigeria bought 67,900 metric tons and Ecuador purchased 50,100 metric tons. Wheat exports climbed 67% to 540,000 metric tons, primarily to the Philippines, South Korea and Nigeria.
Livestock products show mixed results
Pork sales provided a bright spot, jumping 56% to 42,600 metric tons from the previous week. Mexico led pork purchases at 25,600 metric tons, with Japan, Colombia and the Dominican Republic also making significant purchases. Pork exports rose 15% to 41,100 metric tons.
Beef sales declined 12% to 12,900 metric tons, though exports remained steady at 13,300 metric tons. Japan, Mexico and South Korea were the primary beef destinations.
Cotton sales fell 46% to 253,200 running bales for upland varieties, with Bangladesh, India and Pakistan leading purchases. Rice sales dropped 66% to 54,100 metric tons, while sorghum sales plummeted 87% to just 9,400 metric tons.
