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Beef, sorghum export sales see week-to-week improvements

There were a couple of bright spots in the USDA’s weekly export sales numbers. Beef export sales were up on the week, with solid sales to South Korea and Japan, and sorghum was also above a week ago, thanks to strong demand from unknown destinations. Otherwise, sales numbers during the week ending January 29^th were generally bearish, reflecting the global competition for business being faced by many key commodities. Soybeans hit a marketing year low, while pork, corn, wheat, and soybean products all saw week-to-week declines. Export demand is influenced by several factors, including currency valuations, seasonal trends, and geopolitics. The USDA’s next round of supply and demand numbers is out on Tuesday the 10^th at Noon Eastern/11 Central.

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

Wheat came out at 373,900 tons (13.7 million bushels), down 33% from the week ending January 22^nd, but up 3% from the four-week average. The Philippines purchased 90,900 tons and Taiwan bought 89,200 tons, but unknown destinations canceled on 123,000 tons. Nearing the final quarter of the 2025/26 marketing year, wheat exports are 801.8 million bushels, compared to 681.8 million in 2024/25. Sales of 41,000 tons (1.5 million bushels) for 2026/27 delivery were to Japan (32,000 tons) and Mexico (9,000 tons).

Corn was reported at 1,041,200 tons (41 million bushels), 37% lower than the previous week and 42% below the four-week average. Mexico picked up 247,600 tons and Japan bought 246,800 tons. At this point in the marketing year, corn exports are 2.312 billion bushels, compared to 1.762 billion this time last year. Sales of 16,400 tons (600,000 bushels) for 2026/27 delivery were to Japan (13,900 tons) and unknown destinations (2,500 tons).

Sorghum sales of 344,900 tons (13.6 million bushels) were 49% larger than the week before and 8% above the four-week average. Unknown destinations purchased 331,000 tons and China bought 10,800 tons. Sorghum exports are 144.9 million bushels, compared to 44.2 million a year ago.

Rice sales of 21,600 tons fell 64% from the prior week and 56% from the four-week average. Haiti picked up 13,500 tons and Guam purchased 10,300 tons, while unknown destinations canceled on 11,000 tons. Rice exports are 1,618,700 tons, compared to 2,079,600 last year.

Soybeans were pegged at 436,900 tons (16.1 million bushels), a decrease of 47% on the week and 72% from the four-week average. China bought 233,000 tons and Egypt picked up 104,700 tons, but unknown destinations canceled on 285,400 tons. So far, this marketing year, soybean exports are 1.26 billion bushels, compared to 1.576 billion a year ago. Sales of 400 tons for 2026/27 delivery were to Japan.

Soybean meal came out at 380,300 tons, 18% less than the previous week, but 11% more than the four-week average. The Philippines purchased 155,800 tons and Canada bought 36,200 tons. For the marketing year to date, soybean meal exports are 10,650,500 tons, compared to 9,743,100 last year.

Soybean oil was reported at 1,000 tons, a drop of 96% from the week before and 95% from the four-week average. Unknown destinations picked up 7,500 tons and Venezuela purchased 6,000 tons, but Guatemala canceled on 18,000 tons. Cumulative soybean oil exports are 336,500 tons, compared to 674,200 a year ago.

Upland cotton was pegged at 249,800 bales, up 23% from the prior week, but down 5% from the four-week average. Vietnam bought 54,000 bales and Pakistan picked up 48,100 bales. 2025/26 upland cotton exports are 7,803,300 bales, compared to 8,886,200 in 2024/25. Net sales of 114,900 bales for 2026/27 delivery were mainly to Malaysia (52,800 bales) and Indonesia (33,400 bales).

Net beef sales totaled 19,700 tons, an increase of 17% on the week, but a decrease of 19% from the four-week average. The listed purchasers were South Korea (7,600 tons), Japan (6,300 tons), Taiwan (1,500 tons), Mexico (1,100 tons), and Hong Kong (900 tons). Physical shipments of 13,000 tons were 3% above the previous week, but 2% below the four-week average, primarily to South Korea (4,400 tons), Japan (3,800 tons), Mexico (1,400 tons), Taiwan (1,300 tons), and Hong Kong (700 tons).

Net pork sales totaled 35,100 tons, a decline of 37% from the week before and 48% from the four-week average. The reported buyers were Mexico (13,800 tons), China (5,200 tons), Canada (4,700 tons), Japan (4,000 tons), and South Korea (2,600 tons). Physical shipments of 37,600 tons rose 5% from the prior week and 6% from the four-week average, mostly to Mexico (16,900 tons), Japan (4,300 tons), South Korea (3,800 tons), Canada (3,300 tons), and China (3,000 tons).