U.S. agricultural exports showed sharp contrasts in the latest reporting period, with grain sales posting solid gains while rice crashed to its weakest performance of the year. The Philippines, Mexico and other Asian buyers drove demand for wheat and corn, but rice purchases across all markets fell to levels not seen since the current marketing year began, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service's Weekly Export Sales Report.
Wheat, corn sales climb
U.S. exporters reported net wheat sales of 451,600 metric tons for the week ending Oct. 1, up 56% from the previous week and 68% above the prior four-week average, the USDA said Thursday.
The Philippines led purchases with 112,000 MT, followed by South Korea at 100,000 MT and Japan at 62,900 MT. Bangladesh bought 59,100 MT, with 55,000 MT switched from unknown destinations, while Mexico purchased 35,600 MT.
Wheat exports during the period totaled 218,200 MT, down 31% from the previous week. Bangladesh received the largest shipment at 59,100 MT, with Taiwan getting 51,400 MT and Mexico taking 34,000 MT.
Corn sales performed even better, with net sales of 769,500 MT marking a 44% increase from the previous week and 28% above the four-week average. Mexico dominated purchases at 508,800 MT, followed by Colombia with 196,900 MT and Japan at 96,800 MT.
Corn exports reached 1,597,800 MT, down 11% from the previous week but unchanged from the four-week average. Mexico received 674,500 MT, while Japan got 446,300 MT.
Rice hits marketing-year low
Rice sales told a different story. Net sales of just 15,800 MT represented a marketing-year low, plunging 90% from the previous week and 79% below the four-week average.
Mexico led rice purchases with 8,400 MT, followed by Japan at 5,000 MT and Canada with 1,400 MT. Rice exports of 25,600 MT were down 70% from the previous week, with Japan receiving 12,000 MT and South Korea taking 5,300 MT.
Soybeans decline but remain strong
Soybean sales of 549,400 MT fell 47% from the previous week and 34% from the four-week average. China purchased 382,900 MT, including 370,400 MT switched from unknown destinations. Mexico bought 139,800 MT, while Tunisia, the Netherlands and Egypt each purchased between 57,900 MT and 60,000 MT.
Soybean exports of 1,379,700 MT rose 40% from the previous week. China received 827,900 MT, with Algeria getting 126,700 MT.
Soybean meal begins new marketing year
The 2026-2027 marketing year for soybean cake and meal began Oct. 1 with net sales of 1,047,600 MT. Mexico led purchases at 168,400 MT, followed by the Philippines with 129,900 MT and Canada at 120,200 MT.
A total of 861,900 MT in sales carried over from the previous marketing year. Accumulated exports through Sept. 30 reached 17,220,800 MT, up 14% from the prior year’s 15,051,800 MT.
Other commodities
Cotton sales showed upland net sales of 165,100 running bales for 2026-2027, down 19% from the previous week but up 14% from the four-week average. Vietnam purchased 61,800 RB, Pakistan bought 45,900 RB, and India took 20,800 RB.
Beef net sales of 13,000 MT were down 11% from the previous week, with South Korea buying 4,600 MT and Japan purchasing 2,400 MT.
Pork net sales of 26,900 MT fell 24% from the previous week. Mexico dominated with 19,100 MT, while South Korea bought 3,400 MT.
The USDA also reported export adjustments for the week. Accumulated corn exports to South Korea were adjusted down 59,506 MT, with the correct destination listed as Mexico. Soybean meal exports to Panama were adjusted down 11,093 MT, with Honduras as the correct destination.
The report covers sales and shipments reported by exporters for the Sept. 24 through Oct. 1 period.
