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Big week for U.S. pork export sales, mostly to Mexico

U.S. pork export sales were strong during the week ending February 19^th. The USDA says pork sales were larger than average, with Mexico picking up more than half of the total, reflecting the consistent demand from a major trading partner. All other major commodities saw week-to-week declines for sales because of several factors, including U.S. prices compared to other exporters and seasonal supply trends. The USDA’s updated supply and demand estimates are out March 10^th.

Physical shipments of beans, corn, and wheat were more than what’s needed to meet 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 corn, sorghum, and soybeans, and October 1^st for soybean products. The marketing year for beef and pork is the calendar year.

Wheat came out at 243,000 tons (8.9 million bushels), down 16% from the week ending February 12^th and 43% from the four-week average. Mexico purchased 135,300 tons and Nigeria bought 67,900 tons, while unknown destinations canceled on 101,800 tons. Nearing the final quarter of the 2025/26 marketing year, wheat exports are 839.3 million bushels, compared to 732.2 million in 2024/25. Sales of 107,000 tons (3.9 million bushels) for 2026/27 delivery were mainly to South Korea (50,600 tons) and unknown destinations (32,500 tons).

Corn was reported at 685,800 tons (27 million bushels), 53% lower than the previous week and 56% below the four-week average. Mexico picked up 373,600 tons and Japan purchased 171,700 tons, but unknown destinations canceled on 425,900 tons. Approaching the second half of the marketing year, corn exports are 2.479 billion bushels, compared to 1.915 billion a year ago. Sales of 11,700 tons (500,000 bushels) for 2026/27 delivery were to Mexico.

Sorghum sales of 9,400 tons (400,000 bushels) were a drop of 87% from the week before and 96% from the four-week average. China bought 147,400 tons, while unknown destinations canceled on 138,000 tons. Sorghum exports are 158.3 million bushels, compared to 48.1 million this time last year.

Rice sales of 54,100 tons were 66% under the prior week and 30% less than the four-week average. Colombia picked up 16,000 tons and Haiti purchased 15,200 tons. Rice exports are 1,900,300 tons, compared to 2,381,000 a year ago.

Soybeans were pegged at 407,100 tons (15 million bushels), a decrease of 49% on the week and 30% from the four-week average. Egypt bought 225,800 tons and Germany picked up 127,000 tons, while unknown destinations canceled on 148,100 tons. So far, this marketing year, soybean exports are 1.31 billion bushels, compared to 1.613 billion last year.

Soybean meal came out at 269,600 tons, a decline of 44% from the previous week and 36% from the four-week average. Morocco purchased 96,200 tons and Mexico bought 65,600 tons. Late in the first half of the marketing year, soybean meal exports are 11,751,400 tons, compared to 10,573,200 a year ago. Sales of 30,000 tons for 2026/27 delivery were to unknown destinations.

Soybean oil was reported at 1,500 tons, falling 87% from the week before and 84% from the four-week average. Venezuela picked up 5,000 tons and the Dominican Republic purchased 1,700 tons, but unknown destinations canceled on 7,500 tons. Cumulative soybean oil exports are 351,100 tons, compared to 709,100 last year. A net sales reduction of 4,000 tons for 2026/27 delivery followed a cancelation by Canada.

Upland cotton was pegged at 253,200 bales, down 46% from the prior week and 12% from the four-week average. Bangladesh bought 70,700 bales and India picked up 59,700 bales. 2025/26 upland cotton exports are 8,753,800 bales, compared to 9,610,200 in 2024/25. Sales of 29,700 bales for 2026/27 delivery were to Malaysia (22,000 bales) and Vietnam (7,700 bales).

Net beef sales totaled 12,900 tons, dropping 12% on the week and 23% from the four-week average. The reported purchasers were Japan (4,500 tons), Mexico (1,900 tons), South Korea (1,900 tons), Indonesia (1,200 tons), and Canada (1,100 tons). Physical shipments of 13,300 tons were unchanged from the previous week and up 5% from the four-week average, primarily to South Korea (3,900 tons), Japan (3,100 tons), Mexico (1,900 tons), Hong Kong (1,000 tons), and Taiwan (1,000 tons).

Net pork sales totaled 42,600 tons, rising 56% from the week before and 16% from the four-week average. The listed purchasers were Mexico (25,600 tons), Japan (4,000 tons), Colombia (2,800 tons), the Dominican Republic (2,200 tons), and Canada (1,800 tons). Physical shipments of 41,100 tons were an increase of 15% from the prior week and 12% from the four-week average, mostly to Mexico (18,500 tons), Japan (4,900 tons), South Korea (4,900 tons), China (4,200 tons), and Colombia (2,200 tons).