U.S. agricultural exporters had a mixed week ending Sept. 24, with strong soybean sales to China making up for slower wheat and cotton shipments, according to the Weekly Export Sales Report from the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service.
Soybeans lead the way
Soybean sales jumped to 1,033,500 metric tons for the 2026/2027 marketing year. China grabbed more than half the total at 589,400 MT, continuing its buying streak. Egypt came in second with 111,500 MT, while Algeria took 95,500 MT and the United Kingdom picked up 60,000 MT.
When it came to actual shipments, soybeans hit 988,000 MT. China again dominated, receiving 735,400 MT. The country’s ongoing demand for U.S. soybeans shows no signs of slowing down as trade between the two nations stays on track.
Other major buyers included Egypt (56,500 MT), Japan (53,800 MT), Algeria (46,100 MT), and Mexico (23,100 MT).
Wheat exports slip
Wheat painted a different picture. Net sales reached 289,300 MT, up just 8% from the previous week and 5% higher than the four-week average. Mexico led the pack at 94,400 MT, followed by the Philippines (63,000 MT), Singapore (63,000 MT), Indonesia (55,000 MT), and Peru (26,000 MT).
But actual wheat shipments told another story. Exports dropped 18% from the previous week and fell 32% below the prior four-week average, landing at 315,400 MT. Mexico stayed on top as the main destination at 90,000 MT. The Philippines (72,000 MT), Nigeria (55,000 MT), Vietnam (49,700 MT), and Guatemala (23,000 MT) filled out the rest of the top five.
Corn holds steady
Corn sales came in at 536,000 MT. Mexico bought 252,200 MT, though some adjustments trimmed the final number. Colombia purchased 101,200 MT, South Korea grabbed 87,300 MT, Portugal took 54,700 MT, and Ireland added 22,700 MT.
Corn exports performed well at 1,445,100 MT. Mexico led the way with 431,600 MT, followed by South Korea (401,700 MT), Japan (175,600 MT), Colombia (139,100 MT), and Portugal (87,700 MT).
Rice sees strong gains
Rice sales took off, reaching 150,600 MT and climbing well above both the previous week and the four-week average. South Korea topped the list at 44,400 MT, with Japan buying 26,000 MT, Mexico taking 17,100 MT, Haiti purchasing 15,200 MT, and Israel adding 14,200 MT.
Rice exports jumped 8% from the previous week and shot up 94% from the four-week average to hit 85,600 MT. Iraq led all destinations at 44,000 MT. Mexico (25,300 MT), Saudi Arabia (9,400 MT), South Korea (3,500 MT), and Canada (2,300 MT) followed behind.
Meat exports gain ground
Beef sales reached 14,500 MT, climbing 55% from the previous week and 29% above the four-week average. South Korea bought 4,700 MT, Japan purchased 4,500 MT, Taiwan picked up 1,400 MT, China took 1,100 MT, and Hong Kong added 800 MT.
Beef exports rose 3% from the previous week to 12,500 MT. South Korea (4,200 MT) and Japan (3,200 MT) led the pack.
Pork sales held at 35,300 MT, matching the previous week but running 10% ahead of the four-week average. Mexico dominated with 17,200 MT, while Canada bought 4,300 MT, China took 3,000 MT, Japan purchased 2,800 MT, and South Korea added 2,700 MT.
Pork exports climbed 8% to 34,800 MT. Mexico received the bulk at 16,500 MT, followed by Japan (4,600 MT), China (2,700 MT), Colombia (2,600 MT), and South Korea (2,500 MT).
Cotton shows weakness
Cotton sales of 202,600 running bales dropped 12% from the previous week, though they stayed well above the four-week average. Vietnam led purchases at 51,200 RB, with Pakistan buying 40,600 RB, China taking 38,400 RB, Honduras purchasing 22,700 RB, and Malaysia adding 12,100 RB.
