News

Pork export sales up on week, led by Mexico, China

Pork export sales were solid during the week ending September 17^th. The USDA says that pork sales were above average, with Mexico and China combining for more than half of the total. Mexico is one of the biggest buyers of U.S. pork and while China is largely self-sufficient and has diversified its global sources, Beijing will still buy U.S. pork when the price is favorable. Cotton and rice export sales also topped their respective averages. The USDA’s next supply and demand update is out October 9^th.

Physical shipments of corn were more than 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 267,600 tons (9.8 million bushels), down 18% from the week ending September 10^th and 13% from the four-week average. Mexico purchased 113,400 tons and Japan bought 87,600 tons. Just over a quarter into the 2026/27 marketing year, wheat exports are 344.2 million bushels, compared to 501.2 million in 2025/26.

Corn was reported at 838,300 tons (33 million bushels). Japan picked up 247,000 tons and Mexico purchased 211,000 tons. Very early in the marketing year, corn exports are 718 million bushels, compared to 1.014 billion this time last year. Sales of 2,500 tons (100,000 bushels) for 2027/28 delivery were to unknown destinations.

Sorghum sales were 2,500 tons (100,000 bushels), all to Mexico. Sorghum exports are 1.7 million bushels, compared to 16.3 million a year ago.

Rice exports of 54,200 tons were up 49% from the previous week and 31% from the four-week average. South Korea bought 36,100 tons and Japan picked up 13,000 tons. Rice exports are 822,600 tons, compared to 690,500 last year.

Soybeans were pegged at 582,400 tons (21.4 million bushels). China purchased 311,800 tons and Japan bought 66,000 tons. So far, this marketing year, soybean exports are 779.1 million bushels, compared to 401.7 million a year ago.

Soybean meal came out at 60,700 tons, a solid improvement from the week before and 21% higher than the four-week average. The United Kingdom picked up 33,000 tons and Venezuela purchased 30,000 tons, while unknown destinations canceled on 30,000 tons. Late in the 2025/26 marketing year, soybean meal exports are 18,128,700 tons, compared to 15,784,500 in 2024/25. Sales of 246,000 tons for 2026/27 delivery were mainly to Colombia (88,300 ton) and Canada (57,100 tons).

Soybean oil was reported at 1,600 tons. Canada bought 1,500 tons and Mexico picked up 100 tons. Cumulative soybean oil exports are 377,300 tons, compared to 1,095,600 last year. Sales of 100 tons for 2026/27 delivery were to Canada.

Upland cotton was pegged at 230,500 bales, considerably larger than both the prior week and the four-week average. Mexico purchased 69,800 bales and Vietnam bought 51,200 bales. 2026/27 upland cotton exports are 4,734,600 bales, compared to 4,058,900 in 2025/26. Sales of 123,000 bales for 2027/28 delivery were primarily to Mexico (120,000 bales).

Net beef sales totaled 9,400 tons, a decrease of 34% on the week and 16% from the four-week average. The listed purchasers were Japan (2,300 tons), South Korea (2,100 tons), Hong Kong (1,900 tons), and Taiwan (600 tons), with a cancelation by the United Arab Emirates (200 tons). Physical shipments of 12,100 tons rose 22% from the previous week and 7% from the four-week average, mostly to South Korea (3,700 tons), Japan (2,900 tons), Taiwan (1,400 tons), Mexico (1,200 tons), and Hong Kong (700 tons). Sales of 100 tons for 2027 delivery were to Japan.

Net pork sales totaled 35,300 tons, a jump of 17% from the week before and 8% from the four-week average. The reported buyers were Mexico (15,800 tons), China (6,900 tons), Japan (3,900 tons), Canada (2,400 tons), and South Korea (2,200 tons), with a cancelation by El Salvador (100 tons). Physical shipments of 32,100 tons were 16% above the prior week and 9% more than the four-week average, mainly to Mexico (16,700 tons), South Korea (2,300 tons), China (2,000 tons), and Colombia (2,000 tons).