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USDA: China, Mexico, Japan drive weekly U.S. pork export sales

The USDA says China has purchased U.S. pork for two weeks in a row. Trade between the U.S. and China has declined sharply due to tariffs, but there have been negotiations recently, and China has raised import duties on pork from the European Union. Beef, corn, soybean, and wheat export sales during the week ending September 11^th were also above the previous week. The USDA’s next round of supply and demand estimates is out October 9^th.

Physical shipments of corn and wheat were more than what’s needed to meet projections for the current marketing year. The 2024/25 marketing year began October 1^st for soybean products, while 2025/26 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 377,500 tons (13.9 million bushels), up 24% from the week ending September 4^th, but down 12% from the four-week average. The Philippines purchased 186,000 tons and Nigeria bought 104,300 tons, while unknown destinations canceled on 156,100 tons. In the second quarter of the 2025/26 marketing year, wheat exports are 481.4 million bushels, compared to 399.4 million in 2024/25. Sales of 10,000 tons (400,000 bushels) for 2026/27 delivery were to Mexico.

Corn was reported at 1,231,600 tons (48.5 million bushels). Mexico picked up 419,200 tons and South Korea purchased 201,000 tons. At this point in the marketing year, corn exports are 938.3 million bushels, compared to 559.4 million a year ago.

Sorghum sales were 100,500 tons (4 million bushels). Pakistan bought 55,000 tons and unknown destinations picked up 30,000 tons. Sorghum exports are 14.1 million bushels, compared to 24.3 million this time last year.

Rice sales of 8,400 tons were a dip of 43% from the previous week and 80% from the four-week average. Haiti purchased 17,600 tons and Mexico bought 6,100 tons, but Canada canceled on 18,700 tons. Rice exports are 682,100 tons, compared to 873,600 a year ago.

Soybeans were pegged at 923,000 tons (33.9 million bushels). Egypt picked up 228,400 tons and Mexico purchased 195,400 tons, while unknown destinations canceled on 148,500 tons. So far, this marketing year, soybean exports are 377.6 million bushels, compared to 587.6 million last year. Sales of 2,300 tons (100,000 bushels) for 2026/27 delivery were to Japan (2,100 tons) and Vietnam (200 tons).

Old crop soybean meal came out at 31,200 tons, 7% less than the prior week, but 2% more than the four-week average. Japan bought 38,000 tons and Sri Lanka picked up 8,400 tons, with a handful of notable cancelations. Nearing the end of the 2024/25 marketing year, soybean meal exports are 15,704,900 tons, compared to 13,885,800 late in 2023/24. Sales of 151,300 tons for 2025/26 delivery were mainly to the Philippines (93,500 tons) and Mexico (38,100 tons).

Old crop soybean oil was reported at 22,400 tons. South Korea purchased 22,000 tons and Mexico bought 300 tons. Cumulative soybean oil sales are 1,118,900 tons, compared to 280,300 a year ago.

Upland cotton was pegged at 186,100 bales, rising 44% on the week and 13% from the four-week average. Vietnam picked up 77,000 bales and India purchased 41,800 bales. 2025/26 upland cotton exports are 3,972,800 bales, compared to 4,871,200 in 2024/25. Sales of 19,000 bales for 2026/27 delivery were to Vietnam.

Net beef sales totaled 15,800 tons, an increase of 31% from the previous week and 21% from the four-week average. The reported buyers were South Korea (8,000 tons), Mexico (1,700 tons), Indonesia (1,600 tons), Canada (1,200 tons), and Taiwan (1,000 tons), with a cancelation by the United Kingdom (100 tons). Physical shipments of 13,200 tons were 52% larger than the week before and up 23% from the four-week average, primarily to Japan (4,000 tons), South Korea (3,200 tons), Mexico (1,600 tons), Taiwan (1,100 tons), and Hong Kong (1,000 tons). Sales of 400 tons for 2026 delivery were to Japan.

Net pork sales totaled 22,000 tons, 27% above the prior week, but 14% below the four-week average. The listed purchasers were Japan (6,600 tons), Mexico (6,200 tons), China (3,000 tons), Colombia (1,400 tons), and Canada (1,300 tons). Physical shipments of 29,400 tons were up 26% on the week and 13% from the four-week average, mostly to Mexico (14,500 tons), Japan (4,100 tons), China (2,800 tons), South Korea (1,900 tons), and Canada (1,700 tons).