WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. export sales were mixed last week, with corn shipments climbing sharply while pork sales fell to a marketing-year low. USDA data for the week ending April 16 showed strong movement in corn, wheat, sorghum, and cotton, while pork and rice struggled.
Corn sales reached 51.8 million bushels for 2025/2026, down 6 percent from the prior week but up 3 percent from the four-week average. Exports jumped to 76.9 million bushels, up 25 percent on the week. Mexico bought 23.4 million bushels, Japan 16.7 million, and South Korea 16.1 million. New-crop sales totaled 17.3 million bushels, all to Mexico. Daily reporting also showed additional corn sales to Mexico and unknown destinations. Wheat exports rose 68 percent to 19.3 million bushels, while sorghum sales surged to 7.6 million bushels, mostly to China.
Soybean sales improved to 13.4 million bushels, up 47 percent from the prior week, but exports slipped to 28.2 million bushels. Cotton sales were weaker, though Pima cotton posted a marketing-year high. Beef sales rose 26% from the prior week.
Pork sales fell to 16,100 metric tons — a marketing-year low — down 57 percent from the prior week. Rice sales dropped 78 percent, another unusually weak spot in the report.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Corn export demand remains supportive, but weak pork and rice sales show uneven global demand trends.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
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