Corn Leads Weekly Export Sales; Cotton Shipments Jump

Strong corn demand and cotton shipments support export outlook.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. corn export demand strengthened in the latest reporting week, supporting market momentum as global buyers remained active across major destinations, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service weekly report.

Corn led the update with net sales of 79.6 million bushels for the 2025–2026 marketing year, sharply above the previous week and well above the recent average. Top buyers included South Korea, Colombia, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain, while shipments totaled 66.7 million bushels, led by Mexico and South Korea.

Soybean sales reached 14.1 million bushels, down slightly from the prior week, while shipments remained strong at 41.1 million bushels, led by China, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Egypt. Wheat sales totaled 7.5 million bushels, falling from the previous week, with Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines among key buyers.

Cotton export activity was mixed. Upland sales totaled 150,400 bales, down from the prior week, while shipments climbed to a marketing-year high of 282,200 bales, led by Vietnam, Pakistan, Turkey, China, and Indonesia.

Livestock trade remained steady, with beef sales totaling 11,200 metric tons and pork sales at 36,100 metric tons, led primarily by Asian and North American buyers.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Strong corn demand and cotton shipments support export outlook.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Related Stories
Researchers with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are studying the clouded plant bug, which causes millions of dollars in damage to crops such as corn, soybeans, and cotton growing across the state.
Rancher and Americans for Prosperity Director Tyler Lindholm breaks down the Wyoming Food Freedom Act, clarifies licensing questions, and discusses the future of local agriculture in the state.
Farm Bureau Economist Dr. Faith Parum warns farmers to brace for more losses as the war in Iran sends shockwaves through the ag economy and raises input costs even further.
Margin pressure and competitiveness concerns are shaping cautious outlooks.
More than 15 million birds were affected by bird flu, but fewer outbreaks are helping bring egg prices down
Fewer DEF-related shutdowns could mean more uptime during planting and harvest seasons.

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:

Strong exports continue to support corn despite larger supplies.
Crush demand is supporting soybeans despite biofuel uncertainty.
Bigger stocks may limit upside in cotton prices.
Export growth remains key for grain profitability.
Spring Weather Creates Uneven Early Season Field Conditions
USDA Cattle-on-Feed report for March shows slightly lower inventory and higher February placements, signaling a tighter supply but steady outlook for the U.S. cattle herd.