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
Transportation access, legal disputes, and fertilizer freight costs will directly influence input pricing and grain movement in 2026.
Mexico plans to release 202,000 acre-feet of water into the Rio Grande, offering temporary relief to South Texas farmers as Congress advances the PERMIT Act.
Analysts say that while low-income households are facing financial pressures, other middle- and higher-income consumers are helping fill the gap for retail beef demand.
Despite China’s sharp drop in grain purchases this year, new USDA export data this week shows that even some buying activity from the trade giant still moves the markets.
Corn and wheat exports remain supportive, but weaker soybean demand — especially from China — continues to pressure oilseed markets.
China’s pullback is hitting core U.S. commodities hard, reshaping export expectations for soybeans, cotton, grains, and livestock.

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 yields and higher cattle prices helped stabilize conditions, but weak crop prices and rising carryover debt remain major challenges for Eleventh District farmers.
Corn exports remain strong, while soybeans and wheat shift week to week on river conditions and global demand.
A regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture, prepared by RFD-TV Markets Specialist Tony St. James, for the week of Monday, November 24, 2025.
Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller warns horse owners after EHV-1 cases linked to the Waco WPRA Finals. Horses linked to recent Waco events should be isolated and closely monitored, as early action is critical to stopping the spread of EHV-1.
Farmers with unpaid Hansen-Mueller grain should verify delivery records immediately and file indemnity claims quickly, as coverage rules differ sharply by state.
According to November’s Cattle on Feed Report, Nebraska now leads the nation in cattle feeding as tighter supplies continue to reshape regional market power and long-term price dynamics.