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
At the Port of Brownsville, shrimpers are facing rising operating costs and increased competition, but many shrimp producers and local lawmakers remain optimistic about the industry’s future.
March 19, 2026 01:22 PM
·
Higher prices are bringing relief to markets, but rising input costs are putting pressure on the producers.
March 19, 2026 12:59 PM
·
Lower hop stocks may support prices in the near term.
March 19, 2026 06:00 AM
·
Biofuel policy decisions may influence planting economics. Today, March 18, is also National Biodiesel Day.
March 18, 2026 05:14 PM
·
Bryan Combs with USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service breaks down new farmland data from the TOTAL survey, highlights key findings, and potential impacts for the ag sector. ASFMRA’s David Klein also shares how those trends are reflected in the current farmland market, especially in the Midwest.
March 18, 2026 04:55 PM
·
From barns to show rings, producers and students say that livestock events offer economic opportunity and life lessons. Let’s take a look at some shows across the southeast in Georgia, Virginia and Louisiana.
March 18, 2026 04:21 PM
·
