News

Beef, pork export sales rise, while corn, soybeans fall

U.S. meat export sales were up on the week. The USDA says beef sales during the week ending September 10^th were larger than the previous week and above average thanks to improved demand from several key customers including South Korea and Mexico. Pork had a week-to-week improvement, with Mexico and Japan leading the way. Aside from wheat, grains and oilseed export sales were lower than last week partially due to high prices compared to other exporters. The USDA’s next supply and demand update is October 9^th.

Physical shipments of corn and wheat were above what’s needed to meet USDA projections for the current marketing year. The 2025/26 marketing year began October 1^st for soybean products, while 2026/27 got underway June 1^st for wheat, August 1^st for cotton and rice, and September 1^st for corn, sorghum, and soybeans. The marketing year for beef and pork is the calendar year.

Wheat came out at 325,900 tons (12 million bushels), up 68% from the week ending September 3^rd and steady with the four-week average. The Philippines purchased 189,600 tons and Mexico bought 70,300 tons. Early in the second quarter of the 2026/27 marketing year, wheat exports are 334.4 million bushels, compared to 481.4 million in 2025/26.

Corn was reported at 1,026,700 tons (40.4 million bushels). Mexico picked up 626,000 tons and Japan purchased 150,200 tons, but unknown destinations canceled on 316,200 tons. Just after the start of the marketing year, corn exports are 685 million bushels, compared to 938.3 million this time last year.

Sorghum sales were 4,100 tons (200,000 bushels). Mexico bought 5,800 tons and Japan picked up 300 tons, but China canceled on 2,000 tons. Sorghum exports are 1.6 million bushels, compared to 14.1 million a year ago.

Rice sales of 36,500 tons were down 29% from the previous week and 13% from the four-week average. Unknown destinations purchased 12,000 tons and Haiti bought 7,200 tons. Rice exports are 768,400 tons, compared to 682,100 last year.

Soybeans were pegged at 1,702,000 tons (62.5 million bushels). China picked up 875,300 tons and unknown destinations purchased 218,900 tons. So far, this marketing year, soybean exports are 758.1 million bushels, compared to 375.1 million a year ago.

Soybean meal was a marketing year low at 23,700 tons, a decline of 44% from the week before and 65% from the four-week average. The Netherlands bought 19,500 tons and Guatemala picked up 18,300 tons, but unknown destinations canceled on 38,000 tons. Late in the 2025/26 marketing year, soybean meal exports are 18,068,100 tons, compared to 15,704,900 tons with less than a month remaining in 2024/25. Sales of 186,800 tons for 2026/27 delivery were mainly to unknown destinations (99,000 tons) and Colombia (37,300 tons).

Soybean oil had a net reduction of 200 tons. Mexico purchased 900 tons, but Canada canceled on 1,100 tons. Cumulative soybean oil exports are 375,700 tons, compared to 1,118,900 last year.

Upland cotton came out at 71,200 bales, 4% lower than the prior week and 30% below the four-week average. Vietnam bought 28,200 bales and Guatemala picked up 14,000 bales. 2026/27 upland cotton exports are 4,504,100 bales, compared to 3,972,800 in 2025/26. Sales of 6,200 bales for 2027/28 delivery were primarily to Guatemala (5,600 bales).

Net beef sales totaled 14,200 tons, an increase of 65% on the week and 42% from the four-week average. The reported purchasers were South Korea (6,100 tons), Mexico (2,000 tons), Taiwan (1,400 tons), Hong Kong (1,300 tons), and Japan (1,300 tons), with a cancelation by Indonesia (100 tons). Physical shipments of 9,900 tons fell 14% from the previous week and 18% from the four-week average, mostly to South Korea (3,300 tons), Japan (1,500 tons), Taiwan (1,400 tons), Mexico (1,300 tons), and Hong Kong (600 tons).

Net pork sales totaled 30,100 tons, 10% higher than the week before, but 6% lower than the four-week average. The listed buyers were Mexico (12,300 tons), Japan (5,600 tons), South Korea (4,000 tons), China (2,500 tons), and Canada (1,800 tons). Physical shipments of 27,600 tons were a decrease of 9% from the prior week and 6% from the four-week average, mainly to Mexico (13,400 tons), Japan (2,900 tons), China (2,700 tons), South Korea (2,200 tons), and Canada (2,000 tons). Sales of 300 tons for 2027 delivery were to Japan.