Beef Sales Exports Hit Marketing-Year Highs

Weekly USDA export data showed beef leading the way as corn stayed strong and soybean sales weakened.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — Beef delivered the strongest signal in USDA’s weekly export sales report, with both sales and exports reaching marketing-year highs.

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service reports beef net sales of 126,100 metric tons for 2026, up noticeably from the previous week and the prior four-week average. Exports also hit a marketing-year high at 129,000 metric tons.

The beef gains were led by Chile, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea, though USDA notes more than 111,000 metric tons in sales and exports were reported late.

Corn remained the strongest grain feature. Old-crop corn sales totaled 28.8 million bushels, while new-crop sales added 30.2 million bushels. Corn exports reached 71.5 million bushels, up 21 percent from the previous week.

Soybeans were weak, with old-crop sales falling to a marketing-year low of 1.5 million bushels. Wheat sales totaled 11.0 million bushels, and sorghum exports reached 6.7 million bushels, mostly to China.

Pork sales improved to 37,600 metric tons.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Beef demand was the headline, while grain markets showed corn strength, soybean weakness, and steady sorghum movement to China.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

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