U.S. wheat and corn sales surged significantly during the week ending October 1, with wheat climbing 56% and corn jumping 44%, driven primarily by strong demand from Mexico, the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea. However, rice sales plummeted to a marketing-year low of 15,800 metric tons, representing a 90% decline from the previous week.
- Wheat sales jumped 56% to 451,600 metric tons, with the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan leading purchases
- Corn sales surged 44% to 769,500 metric tons, driven primarily by Mexico's purchase of 508,800 metric tons
- Rice sales crashed to a marketing-year low of 15,800 metric tons, a 90% decline from the previous week
- Soybean sales declined 47% to 549,400 metric tons, though exports rose 40% to 1,379,700 metric tons
- Key buyers include Mexico, China, the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea across major commodity categories
U.S. agricultural exporters reported strong gains in wheat and corn sales but a sharp drop in rice transactions during the week ending Oct. 1, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service weekly export sales report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Net wheat sales of 451,600 metric tons for the 2026/2027 marketing year climbed 56% from the previous week and 68% from the prior four-week average. The Philippines led purchases at 112,000 metric tons, followed by South Korea at 100,000 metric tons and Japan at 62,900 metric tons.
Corn sales surge on Mexico demand
Corn sales jumped 44% from the previous week to 769,500 metric tons, with Mexico driving much of the increase. The country purchased 508,800 metric tons, including 33,000 metric tons switched from unknown destinations. Colombia followed with 196,900 metric tons and Japan with 96,800 metric tons.
Corn exports totaled 1,597,800 metric tons, down 11% from the previous week but unchanged from the four-week average. Mexico again topped the destination list at 674,500 metric tons, with Japan receiving 446,300 metric tons.
The USDA also reported an export adjustment for corn shipped to South Korea, with accumulated exports adjusted down 59,506 metric tons for the week ending Sept. 24. Officials said the correct destination for that shipment was Mexico.
Rice hits marketing-year low
Rice sales dropped sharply to 15,800 metric tons, marking a marketing-year low. The figure represented a 90% decline from the previous week and a 79% decrease from the four-week average. Mexico led purchases at 8,400 metric tons, followed by Japan at 5,000 metric tons.
Rice exports fell 70% from the previous week to 25,600 metric tons. Japan received 12,000 metric tons, while South Korea took 5,300 metric tons.
Soybean complex shows weakness
Soybean sales declined 47% from the previous week to 549,400 metric tons, also down 34% from the four-week average. China purchased 382,900 metric tons, including 370,400 metric tons switched from unknown destinations. Mexico bought 139,800 metric tons.
However, soybean exports rose 40% from the previous week to 1,379,700 metric tons. China led destinations at 827,900 metric tons, followed by Algeria at 126,700 metric tons.
Soybean cake and meal sales for the new 2026/2027 marketing year, which began Oct. 1, totaled 1,047,600 metric tons. Mexico, the Philippines and Canada were the top buyers. The marketing year showed a strong start, with accumulated exports from the previous year reaching 17,220,800 metric tons, up 14% from the prior year’s total of 15,051,800 metric tons.
Meat and cotton exports
Beef sales of 13,000 metric tons were down 11% from the previous week but up 11% from the four-week average. South Korea purchased 4,600 metric tons, and Japan bought 2,400 metric tons. Exports totaled 11,900 metric tons, with South Korea and Japan again leading destinations.
Pork sales fell 24% to 26,900 metric tons. Mexico dominated purchases at 19,100 metric tons, while exports of 32,800 metric tons were down 6% from the previous week.
Cotton sales of Upland variety totaled 165,100 running bales for 2026/2027, down 19% from the previous week but up 14% from the four-week average. Vietnam led purchases at 61,800 running bales, followed by Pakistan at 45,900 running bales. Exports reached 161,600 running bales, up 8% from the previous week.
The report covers export activity for the period Sept. 24 through Oct. 1, 2026, and includes sales and shipments for various marketing years depending on the commodity.
