Corn Export Sales Lead Weekly Report as Soybeans Slow, Cotton Stays Strong

Corn and cotton gave the strongest signals this week, while soybean demand remained softer than in the previous report.

WASHINGTON, D..C. (RFD NEWS) — Corn led the latest weekly export sales report, while soybean sales softened and cotton shipments stayed active. USDA said buyers booked about 62.9 million bushels of old-crop corn during the week ending April 23, up 21 percent from the previous week, while corn exports reached 63.4 million bushels.

Soybean sales came in lower. Old-crop soybean bookings totaled about 9.5 million bushels, down 29 percent from the previous week, while exports reached 22.4 million bushels. Wheat sales improved to 8.3 million bushels for the current marketing year, with another 5.8 million bushels booked for 2026-27. Wheat exports totaled 15.1 million bushels.

Sorghum remained a China-centered story. Sales were about 500,000 bushels, but exports were much stronger at 7.5 million bushels. Rice sales totaled 39,000 metric tons, with exports at 83,600 metric tons.

Cotton also posted solid movement. Upland cotton sales reached 162,900 bales for 2025-26, with another 105,700 bales sold for 2026-27. Exports totaled 384,600 bales, led by Vietnam, Pakistan, Turkey, India, and Bangladesh.

Soybean meal was one of the stronger product categories. Sales reached 294,900 metric tons, and exports totaled 387,200 metric tons, while pork sales rose to 46,300 metric tons and beef sales to 13,800 metric tons.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Corn and cotton gave the strongest signal this week, while soybean demand stayed softer than the previous report.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Related Stories
Strong exports support cattle and hog market fundamentals.
House ag leaders had hoped to get the Farm Bill voted on by Easter, but no dates have been secured just yet.
Watch China’s demand signals for export direction.
Shaun Haney joined RFD News to discuss the potential impact of the Trump-Xi summit uncertainty, ongoing agricultural trade talks, and why geopolitical developments could carry important implications for farmers and global commodity markets.
Rising protein demand supports long-term trade in feed and meat.
Vive’s Art Graves shared insights on the new Phobos FC 360 foliar fungicide, its advantages for Canadian growers, early performance results, and the company’s ongoing commitment to advanced crop protection solutions.
Kentucky Firefighters Jonathan and Lonny Epley and Extension Agent Leann Martin tell us about a new portable grain bin rescue tool, and its potential to enhance safety for farmers and first responders nationwide.

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.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Growing milk supply may pressure prices ahead.
Bigger flocks are rebuilding egg and poultry supply.
Tight supplies are driving stronger early-year cattle prices.
Tony Adkins with Specialty Risk Insurance addresses current market challenges for farmers and ranchers and offers strategies to help producers navigate risk.
Acreage shifts could impact pricing and marketing plans.
Herd growth and exports supporting dairy outlook.