Agriculture

Soybean futures fell on profit-taking and technical selling after USDA confirmed new-crop sales of 136,000 metric tons to China and 120,000 metric tons to unknown destinations for 2026/27 delivery. Corn also declined on similar profit-taking despite old-crop export commitments exceeding USDA projections. Markets eye an expected warmer, drier Midwest stretch later in July that could affect crop development. Read →

Private exporters reported 472,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans sold to China, with 336,000 metric tons for 2026/27 delivery and 136,000 for the current year. An additional 120,000 metric tons went to unknown destinations for the new marketing year. The sales boost new-crop demand visibility ahead of the July 10 WASDE report. Read →

Old-crop soybean sales reached 2 million bushels, up weekly but below average, led by China and Japan with cancellations from unknown buyers. New-crop soybean sales hit 15 million bushels, above the prior week and mainly to unknown destinations plus Colombia. Corn and wheat sales were mixed and generally below four-week averages. Read →

The July 10 WASDE report is expected to update 2026/27 balance sheets with attention on soybean ending stocks and any yield or acreage tweaks. Renewed Chinese buying supports sentiment while forecasts point to a short-lived heat and dry spell in the Midwest. Wheat faces limited upside risk from ample global supplies despite U.S. production concerns. Read →

USDA confirmed private exporters sold 472,000 metric tons of US soybeans to China, the biggest daily total since November 2025. State trader Cofco booked additional cargoes. The purchases extend a buying wave tied to the US-China trade thaw and bolster expectations Beijing will meet commitments. Read →

Soybean futures held firm after USDA flash sales confirmed 17.3 million bushels to China. November beans approached $12 amid crude oil strength. Corn and wheat futures pulled back on technical selling and chart resistance despite prior weather support. Read →

September corn futures fell 8.75 cents to $4.35 per bushel on technical selling ahead of Friday's July WASDE. December corn dropped 8 cents. Traders await export sales data and updated production, export, and stock projections amid expected rainfall in the Corn Belt. Read →

Wheat harvest is progressing in Michigan with producers noting rapid dry-down and strong yields. The crop faces typical quality checks but overall prospects remain positive as combines roll. Read →

Midday weather forecast updates showing extended Midwest heat and drier conditions boosted corn and soybean futures via short covering and technical buying. Traders monitor pollination-stage heat stress in the U.S. Corn Belt and drought impacts on European and Argentine crops. Argentina's 2026/27 soybean output was revised lower to 49 million tons while Brazil's estimate held near prior levels. Read →

Arabica coffee futures jumped as much as 18.5% intraday Monday to $3.57/lb on institutional buying tied to El Niño harvest disruption risks in Brazil; the move was the largest since 2000. Cocoa futures rose 13% to a January high on persistent West African rains and supply worries. Analysts noted no immediate weather damage in Brazil but flagged tight Arabica supplies and potential margin hikes by ICE. Read →

USDA's June 30 quarterly grain stocks and planted acreage reports showed corn stocks at 5.295 billion bushels below estimates, spring wheat plantings at a record-low 42.74 million acres, and soybean acreage slightly above expectations. The surprises shifted trader focus from acreage to weather-driven price action in subsequent sessions. Read →

US grain futures gapped higher Sunday night and closed sharply up Monday, led by soybeans. China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed plans to lower tariffs on US soybeans and other grains, while hot, dry Midwest forecasts raised pollination and yield concerns for corn and soybeans. The moves lifted corn over 12 cents and soybeans over 30 cents intraday. Read →

Soybeans rose sharply on fund buying with November futures hitting five-week highs; corn followed on pollination-stage heat worries. USDA rated corn 67% good-to-excellent and soybeans 64%, both near or below year-ago levels. Export inspections stayed solid for soybeans but softer for corn, with China and Mexico leading purchases. Read →

Frequent rains and saturated fields slowed wheat harvest across central and northern Illinois, where the crop matured ahead of schedule. Statewide harvest reached 78% complete, behind last year’s pace. Kansas harvest reports continued with steady progress under drier conditions. Read →

USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report showed corn conditions steady at 67% good-to-excellent and soybeans slipping 1 point to 64%. Corn reached 16% silking and 3% dough stage; soybeans hit 34% blooming and 9% pod setting. Winter wheat harvest stood at 59% complete, ahead of the five-year average. Read →

December corn futures rose 2.25 cents to $4.4450 overnight after a 6.25-cent Wednesday gain. November soybeans climbed 6.5 cents to $11.5575. The moves follow USDA acreage and stocks data that surprised traders, with mixed weather forecasts adding support ahead of the July 4 weekend. Read →

CBOT soybean crush margins fell to $2.88 per bushel as of June 30, down 31% from a June 3 record. Lower soybean oil and meal values drove the decline, pressuring processor profitability amid softer futures and feedstock competition. Read →

The next weekly Crop Progress report covering corn, soybeans and other crops is set for release at 4:00 PM ET on July 6. Markets will watch condition ratings and development progress for clues on yields. Read →

The UN FAO Food Price Index declined 0.3% month-over-month in June, led by grains and sugar. Ceasefire progress between the US and Iran reduced supply-chain concerns, shifting attention to harvest prospects. Read →

USDA raised 2026 corn plantings to 95.343 million acres, up slightly from March and defying expectations for a cut. June 1 corn stocks hit 5.295 billion bushels, below trade estimates. December corn futures rose 6 cents to $4.36 per bushel on the tighter supply signal. Read →

Corn monitors pollination amid heat in Eastern Corn Belt; old-crop export sales fell to 28.8 million bushels. Soybeans mixed with old-crop sales at a marketing-year low of 1.5 million bushels. Wheat consolidated after June 30 acreage cut, with weekly sales at 11 million bushels. Read →

Futures extended Tuesday’s post-USDA gains overnight as mixed weather outlooks drive uncertainty ahead of the holiday weekend. Focus shifts to Midwest conditions after the June 30 acreage and stocks reports. Corn and soybeans led the advance. Read →

USDA pegged 2026 corn planted area at 95.343 million acres, unchanged from March and slightly above expectations. Soybean acreage rose to 85.365 million acres, above the March figure. All-wheat acreage fell to 42.740 million acres, below trade estimates and the lowest on record, while June 1 corn stocks reached 5.29 billion bushels, up 14% year-over-year. The data point to tighter wheat supply prospects and ample old-crop grain inventories heading into summer. Read →

All-wheat planted area came in at 42.7 million acres, 1.1 million below pre-report estimates and the lowest since records began. The surprise drop provided bullish support for an oversold wheat market. Corn acreage held near expectations at 95.3 million while soybean acres aligned with forecasts at 85.4 million. Read →

A dangerous early-July heat wave with highs in the 90s to 100s°F is hitting the Midwest during critical corn pollination and soybean reproductive stages. Nutrien meteorologist Eric Snodgrass warns of combined heat, storms, and shifting patterns that could pressure yields over the next two weeks. Current crop ratings remain solid but face the first major summer stress test. Read →

USDA's June Acreage report showed U.S. corn plantings at 95.3 million acres, down 3% from 2025. Soybean acreage increased 5% to 85.4 million acres. Wheat plantings fell 6% to 42.7 million acres while cotton rose 6%. June 1 grain stocks were also larger than a year ago for all three major grains. Read →

USDA's June Acreage report set 2026 soybean planted area at 85.365 million acres, up 665,000 from March and 5% above 2025. Corn came in at 95.343 million acres, slightly above pre-report estimates and unchanged from March. These shifts signal farmers added bean acres while holding corn steady despite earlier expectations of cuts. Read →

USDA estimated all-wheat planted acreage at 42.74 million acres, down from 43.8 million in March and 6% below 2025, with winter wheat at 31.5 million. Soybean acres reached 85.4 million, up from March, while corn held at 95.3 million. June 1 grain stocks rose year-over-year for all three crops, with corn at 5.29 billion bushels. Read →

USDA pegged June 1 corn stocks at 5.295 billion bushels, below the 5.408 billion average estimate, while acreage held at 95.3 million. Soybean stocks hit 1.06 billion bushels and wheat acres fell to a record-low 42.74 million. Implied March-May corn demand reached an all-time high of 3.73 billion bushels, supporting prices. Read →

All cotton planted area reached 9.85 million acres, up 6% from 2025 and above March estimates. Corn stocks totaled 5.29 billion bushels (up 14% YoY) with 3.74 billion bushels disappearance; soybeans hit 1.06 billion bushels and wheat 920 million bushels, both above prior year. Read →

USDA's weekly Crop Progress report showed national corn condition at 67% good-to-excellent, down 1 point week-over-week with 9% silking. Soybeans rated 65% good-to-excellent, also down 1 point, with 96% emerged, 19% blooming and 4% podding, all ahead of average. Winter wheat harvest reached 48%, spring wheat 59% good-to-excellent, and cotton 48% good-to-excellent. Read →

Grain traders position ahead of USDA's June 30 Planted Acreage and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports, which will update 2026 planted acres and June 1 inventories for corn, soybeans and wheat. Private surveys suggest slightly more corn and fewer soybean acres than March estimates, with futures trading cautiously as markets weigh favorable weather against potential supply revisions. Read →

USDA will release its 2026 Acreage survey and quarterly Grain Stocks report at 11 a.m. CDT on June 30. Trade averages point to corn acres near 94.9 million and soybeans near 85.4 million; the reports historically move corn and soybean futures 20-34 cents on average and will refine supply expectations entering peak summer growing season. Read →

Chicago corn futures slipped as much as 1.3% after Washington and Tehran agreed to halt attacks before peace talks. Traders are also monitoring hot weather forecasts that could stress US crops. The move extends declines for a second session. Read →

The USDA Acreage survey and quarterly Grain Stocks report covering inventories as of June 1 will be released Tuesday at 11 a.m. CDT. Past reactions have averaged 20 cents for corn and 34 cents for soybeans. Markets expect potential volatility from the data. Read →

Private estimates point to only 200,000-400,000 fewer corn acres and 500,000-700,000 more soybean acres versus March intentions. Fertilizer costs had fueled speculation of larger shifts but recent surveys suggest muted changes. Read →

Wheat futures declined Friday across Chicago, Kansas City and Minneapolis contracts. The weakness limited upside in corn and soybeans despite earlier bullish moves. July corn closed down 2 cents and soybeans also finished lower. Read →

Net soybean sales for 2025/26 hit 455,400 metric tons, up 7% week-over-week and 50% above the four-week average, led by unknown destinations, Algeria, Mexico, Colombia and Malaysia. New-crop 2026/27 soybean sales reached 902,200 tons, including to China. Corn net sales fell 36% to 743,100 tons for the old crop while wheat net sales totaled 504,500 tons. Read →

New-crop US soybean sales to China increased, lifting accumulated totals toward 12 million tons. The data provides a positive signal for US exporters ahead of the new marketing year. Read →

December wheat futures gained 5.5 US cents per bushel on US export sales up 26% week-over-week and nearly double year-over-year. Sales supported prices despite broader market trends. Read →

Accumulated US soybean sales to China for the new season reached 11.96 million tons including outstanding balances as of the week ending June 18. Figures remain below the full 12 million ton target. Read →

Moreton Capital Partners seeks $500 million for a vehicle trading South African corn, Malaysian palm oil and Australian wheat exposed to a potential super El Niño. Co-founder Les Finemore says markets underestimate the weather threat to supplies. The move highlights growing investor focus on climate-driven commodity volatility. Read →

EUDR traceability rules risk excluding small cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast from EU markets due to high compliance costs. Buyers may filter out risky suppliers or exit the bloc entirely, fragmenting supply. This occurs as cocoa already faces volatility from prior supply shocks in West Africa. Read →

Illinois Wheat Association President Tracy Heuerman reports strong southern yields and test weights despite recent tornadoes, wind and rain. Harvest is nearly complete in the south but starting north, with rain risking quality delays. Over 80% of state wheat comes from the southern half, supporting double-crop soybeans. Read →

Mexico bought 100,000 tons of U.S. corn (30k old crop, 70k new). Wheat complex fell on fund/technical selling with 40% of winter wheat harvested ahead of average. Soy and corn ratings held steady with favorable development weather overall. Read →

Kansas wheat harvest exceeds 50% complete, one of the earliest on record due to drought and late freezes. Yields average well below prior year (e.g., 72 vs 117 bu/acre in one county); southwest reports heavy abandonment with some fields at 15 bu/acre. Read →

USDA reported 393,150 metric tons of wheat inspected for export last week, up from 358k prior week and year-ago. Corn inspections fell to 1.45M tons and soybeans to 241k tons, though cumulative corn pace remains well ahead of last year. Read →

As of June 21, 5% of U.S. corn had reached silking (vs. 3% five-year avg.) and 9% of soybeans were blooming (vs. 6% avg.). Corn rated 68% good/excellent and soybeans 66%, both steady week-over-week; winter wheat harvest hit 40% complete, ahead of the 24% avg. but with poor conditions at 46%. Read →

Corn emerged at 97% and soybeans at 93%, both near or ahead of averages. Winter wheat harvest advanced to 40% (vs. 24% avg.), while conditions stayed at 68% good/excellent for corn and 66% for soybeans; spring wheat headed at 16% with 54% good/excellent. Read →

Soybean futures traded mixed after overnight gains faded, supported by positive crush margins and higher bean oil but pressured by broader grains. Corn and wheat declined amid focus on favorable Midwest weather outlooks and ongoing harvest/export dynamics. Read →

USDA data showed winter wheat harvest at 41% complete nationwide, ahead of schedule. Corn and soybeans advanced with reproductive stages starting above averages, while overall crop conditions held steady in key states. Read →

Brazil safrinha corn is 8% harvested with very good yields especially in Mato Grosso, and Argentina production revised higher by 2 million tons in recent USDA data. Global buyers will shift to cheaper South American origins, drying up US export demand and pressuring domestic prices lower. Read →

Harvest moves steadily across Kansas with scattered thunderstorms causing delays; some producers finished by mid-June while others are 50-60% complete. Yields are lower than last year due to drought and early May freeze, with protein levels averaging around 12% and variable test weights. Read →

Private exporters reported to USDA sales of 11.3 million bushels of corn to Mexico, 4.9 million bushels of soybeans to China, and 4.4 million bushels of soybeans to unknown destinations, all for 2026-27 delivery. The announcements add fresh export demand for new-crop grains just before the long weekend. Read →

Kansas wheat harvest reached 28% complete, ahead of last year, with below-average yields and acceptable quality reported amid drought, freeze damage and market volatility. Producers note residue management helped yields while scattered storms and late spraying slowed progress in some areas. Read →

Private exporters notified USDA of 132,000 metric tons of soybeans sold to China, 285,775 metric tons of corn to Mexico, and 120,000 metric tons of soybeans to unknown destinations for 2026/27 marketing year delivery. The sales provide concrete new-crop export support for corn and soybeans. Read →

Corn futures lost more than 1%, soybeans fell about 0.75% and winter wheat contracts declined 1-1.25% in Thursday trading ahead of the Juneteenth holiday. Private export sales provided some support but could not prevent the end-of-week selloff. Read →

USDA reported a flash sale of 13.2 million bushels of U.S. soybeans to unknown destinations on Wednesday, with analysts attributing it to China. Soybeans led gains, pulling corn and wheat higher amid rumors of additional Chinese inquiries for those grains. U.S. prices turned competitive versus Brazil, spurring the export interest ahead of potential tariff adjustments. Read →

The confirmed USDA soybean export sale of 13.2 million bushels, split between old and new crop, fueled Wednesday's grain rally. Market participants view the size and timing as strong signals of Chinese buying, with U.S. prices now below Brazilian levels. Analysts note potential for more sales and fund short-covering if tariffs ease. Read →

Soybean futures rose after the USDA announced a 13.7 million bushel sale to unknown destinations, mostly for 2026-27 delivery. Corn posted modest gains despite favorable Corn Belt weather. Traders continue monitoring export demand and regional storms or heat that could affect crop development. Read →

Kansas wheat harvest stands at 5% complete per USDA data, ahead of average but slowed by rain and humidity. Early yields average below expectations due to drought, with test weights around 59-60 pounds and protein near 11%. Southern and central regions report variable progress as drier weather approaches. Read →

Kansas wheat harvest stands at 28% complete per USDA data through June 14, ahead of last year. Farmers report variable conditions with some better-than-expected yields in rain-fed areas but challenges from prior drought, hail, and recent rains affecting quality and test weights. Statewide winter wheat conditions rated low with only 14% good and none excellent, pressuring supply outlook for the crop. Read →

USDA export inspections for the week ending June 11 showed corn shipments at 1.637 million metric tons, down from 2.014 million the prior week and below year-ago levels. Soybean inspections jumped to 522,687 metric tons from 412,122 tons previously and more than doubled last year's pace. Wheat inspections edged higher to 334,292 metric tons, supporting steady export demand despite softer corn volumes. Read →

USDA data through June 14 indicates corn good-to-excellent ratings rose 1 point to 68% and soybeans to 66%, both matching analyst expectations. Winter wheat conditions improved 2 points to 27% good-to-excellent but remain historically weak. Harvest progress hit 25% complete, 12 points ahead of the five-year average, signaling an early start to the season for the struggling crop. Read →

Several days of rain in Brazil's main coffee regions soaked drying beans and halted field work, with farmers reporting at least 10% berry drop in areas like South Minas Gerais. Forecasters warn of more rain into July and potential fungal or bacterial spread on trees, as excess moisture during the typical dry harvest season threatens quality and future tree health in the world's top producer. Read →

As of June 14, 94% of US corn had emerged and 68% rated good-to-excellent, up 1 point weekly. Soybeans reached 95% planted and 88% emerged, with 66% good-to-excellent condition; winter wheat harvest hit 25% complete while its condition improved modestly to 27% good-to-excellent. Read →

USDA reported corn export sales for the week through June 4 at nearly 1 million metric tons, up 13% week-over-week though below the four-week average, led by Japan, Mexico and Spain. Soybean sales declined, with some cancellations offsetting new business. Read →

USDA cut its 2026/27 U.S. winter wheat production forecast to 1.030 billion bushels, down 2% from May and 27% from last year, with hard red winter wheat at a 1957 low of 497 million bushels due to severe Plains drought. Only 25% of the crop rated good-to-excellent, the lowest since 1986. The tighter U.S. wheat balance sheet supports prices even as global corn and soybean estimates saw minor upward revisions from South America. Read →

USDA left 2026/27 U.S. corn and soybean supply, use, and price projections virtually unchanged from May, with corn farm price steady at $4.40 per bushel. Minor old-crop adjustments raised corn ending stocks slightly and offset soybean crush/export tweaks. Global trade shifts included higher corn exports from India and South Africa plus increased imports for Mexico and Egypt. Read →