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
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