U.S. corn sales dropped to a 2025/2026 marketing year low of 31,200 metric tons, down 87% from the previous week, while wheat and soybean exports showed significant strength according to the USDA Export Sales Report for the week ending August 20.
- Corn sales plummeted to 31,200 MT, representing an 87% decline from the previous week and 89% below the four-week average
- Wheat sales rebounded with 402,500 MT for 2026/2027, up 2% weekly and 31% above the four-week average
- Soybeans emerged as the standout performer with 2,478,300 MT in net sales for 2026/2027, driven largely by Chinese demand at 1,101,000 MT
- Pork exports surged 42% to 38,700 MT, primarily due to increased Mexican purchases
- Mexico remained the largest buyer across multiple commodities, including corn, wheat, and pork
U.S. corn sales dropped to a marketing-year low while wheat and soybean exports showed strength during the week ending Aug. 20, according this week's Export Sales Report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Net corn sales hit a 2025/2026 marketing year low, plummeting to just 31,200 metric tons, down 87% from the previous week and 89% from the prior four-week average. The sharp decline came as reductions for unknown destinations totaled 277,500 MT, offsetting gains to the Netherlands, Japan, Spain, Colombia and Italy.
Actual corn exports during the week reached 1,458,700 MT, with Mexico taking the largest share at 439,400 MT, followed by Japan at 356,500 MT and Colombia at 156,900 MT.
Wheat sales provided a brighter picture for exporters. Net sales of 402,500 MT for 2026/2027 rose 2% from the previous week and jumped 31% above the four-week average. Mexico led purchases with 78,500 MT, while Japan bought 71,900 MT and Vietnam ordered 65,000 MT.
The Philippines received the most wheat exports at 130,300 MT, followed by Japan with 93,100 MT and Bangladesh at 58,500 MT. Total wheat exports of 427,800 MT were down 18% from the week prior.
Soybeans emerged as a standout performer, particularly for future delivery. Net sales for 2026/2027 reached 2,478,300 MT, with China accounting for 1,101,000 MT of that total. Unknown destinations bought another 1,046,000 MT, while Egypt and Algeria also made substantial purchases.
Current-year soybean sales of 73,900 MT were down 13% from the previous week, with reductions for unknown destinations partially offset by increases to Egypt, Indonesia and Spain.
Soybean exports of 451,800 MT were up 12% from the previous week and 20% from the four-week average. Egypt led destinations at 117,000 MT, followed by Indonesia with 83,400 MT.
In the livestock sector, pork sales surged 42% to 38,700 MT, driven largely by Mexican demand. Mexico purchased 22,700 MT, while Japan, Colombia, Australia and South Korea also increased orders. Pork exports of 29,900 MT were up 8% from the previous week.
Beef sales told a more subdued story, with net sales of 9,200 MT down 1% from the previous week and 38% below the four-week average. Japan bought 2,200 MT, South Korea purchased 2,100 MT, and Taiwan ordered 1,900 MT. Beef exports totaled 11,800 MT, down 7% from the prior week.
Cotton sales remained steady, with upland cotton net sales of 95,700 running bales for 2026/2027 going primarily to Vietnam, Guatemala, Bangladesh, Peru and India. Exporters also reported early sales of 39,600 RB for the 2027/2028 marketing year, mainly to Malaysia and Guatemala.
The hide and skin market showed strength, with net sales of whole cattle hides up 17% from the previous week at 308,200 pieces. China led purchases with 136,500 pieces, followed by Mexico at 109,700 pieces. Wet blue sales jumped 78% to 230,400 pieces, with Vietnam and China as top buyers.
Rice, sorghum and barley sales remained relatively modest. Rice net sales totaled 20,000 MT primarily for Haiti, Mexico and Honduras, while sorghum sales of 15,000 MT for 2025/2026 were up 96% from the previous week.
The USDA also reported several export adjustments during the week. Accumulated white wheat exports to Vietnam were reduced by 2,200 MT after officials determined the correct destination was Singapore. Corn exports to Japan were adjusted down 9,766 MT due to an error in reporting.
