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
As domestic production and blending slowed, export demand remained a clear bright spot.
In a post to social media, Trump said Venezuela will buy American agriculture products and will use the money from oil sales to make it happen.
Rail strength is helping stabilize grain movement, but river and export slowdowns continue to limit overall logistics momentum.
China continues to buy U.S. soybeans toward its 12 MMT commitment, as analysts cite data gaps, delivery timing questions, and muted market reaction.
Higher ethanol blend rates translate directly into stronger, more durable corn demand if regulatory momentum holds.
Trade uncertainty—especially regarding soybeans—continues to weigh on future outlooks, even as farm finances and land values remain resilient.

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:

Falling livestock prices, combined with higher input costs, continue to squeeze farm profitability heading into 2026.
Smaller cow numbers and a declining calf crop point to prolonged tight cattle supplies, limiting near-term herd rebuilding potential.
Strong rail demand and higher fuel costs raise transportation risk even as barge and export flows stabilize.
Record milk output looks strong today, but shrinking replacement numbers mean future supply adjustments could be faster and more volatile.
Often overlooked, cotton wholesalers act as stabilizers during market stress, translating fragmented retail demand into workable production programs for mills and manufacturers.
Strong blending demand continues to support ethanol use even as production and exports fluctuate.