Soybean and Cotton Exports Hit Marketing Year Lows

Corn exports remained active the week of May 7, but weak soybean, cotton, and sorghum sales kept attention on China and late-year demand.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Weekly export sales were mixed for the week ending May 7, with USDA reporting marketing-year lows for soybeans, soybean oil exports, and upland cotton sales. Corn sales slowed to about 27.0 million bushels, down 50 percent from the previous week, with Mexico, Colombia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan as leading buyers. Corn exports totaled about 65.5 million bushels, led by Mexico and South Korea.

Soybean sales fell to about 3.8 million bushels, a marketing-year low. China bought about 2.5 million bushels, but sales were offset by reductions for unknown destinations. Soybean exports reached about 24.7 million bushels, with China taking about 12.4 million. Soybean meal sales were 344,200 metric tons, led by the Philippines and Mexico, while soybean oil posted net reductions of 600 metric tons, and exports fell to a marketing-year low of 700 metric tons.

Wheat sales improved to about 4.9 million bushels for 2025/26, with new-crop sales near 8.1 million bushels. Sorghum posted a small net reduction, with China reducing purchases, while exports reached about 2.6 million bushels, mostly to China. Upland cotton sales hit a marketing-year low at 47,700 running bales, though exports remained larger at 290,300 bales, led by Vietnam, Turkey, Bangladesh, and China.

Beef sales fell to 7,500 metric tons, while pork sales dropped to 21,000 metric tons. China bought 1,400 metric tons of pork and was among the top destinations for pork exports.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Corn exports remain active, but weak soybean, cotton, and sorghum sales keep attention on China and late-year demand.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Related Stories
National Land Realty’s Jeramy Stephens explains how rising input costs and economic uncertainty are impacting the farmland market and what landowners should watch moving forward.
Higher fuel costs are raising grain shipping expenses. RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney discusses how energy market disruptions are impacting farmers in new ways as the War in Iran continues.
Variety meat demand is helping offset weaker beef exports.
Corn exports remain the clear demand leader.
A late-season freeze in northeast Louisiana has forced farmers to replant thousands of corn acres, adding costs, straining seed supplies, and raising concerns about shifting to soybeans.
March 15 of each year is the application deadline for the Pima Cotton Trust, and March 1 of each year is the application deadline for the Wool Trust. The law mandates trust payments by April 15. More information about these programs is available at www.fas.usda.gov/programs.

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:

Margin pressure and competitiveness concerns are shaping cautious outlooks.
Leadership closer to western forests may speed decisions impacting timber, land use, and wildfire management.
Fewer DEF-related shutdowns could mean more uptime during planting and harvest seasons.
Consumer spending continues, but value-focused buying is on the rise.
Cooperatives may need changes to attract younger producers.
Rising costs are significantly extending walnut profitability timelines.