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China emerged as the dominant buyer of U.S. soybeans in the week ending August 6th, accounting for more than 80% of new crop export sales. This significant demand surge is attributed to attractive pricing, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
While new crop corn sales experienced a weekly decline, they remained robust, with Mexico leading purchases. Wheat and beef export sales both saw week-over-week reductions, conversely, pork export sales exceeded the previous week's figures. The USDA is scheduled to release its next round of supply and demand estimates on September 11th.
Physical shipments of corn and wheat currently surpass the volumes required to meet the USDA's projections for their respective ongoing marketing years. The 2025/26 marketing year commenced on September 1st for beans, corn, and sorghum, and on October 1st for soybean products. Meanwhile, the 2026/27 marketing year began on June 1st for wheat and on August 1st for cotton and rice.
Wheat sales were reported at 255,900 tons (9.4 million bushels), representing a 14% decrease from the week ending July 30th and an 8% dip from the four-week average. Mexico secured 101,100 tons and South Korea purchased 66,500 tons, though unknown destinations canceled orders for 143,000 tons. Nearing the end of the first quarter of the 2026/27 marketing year, cumulative wheat exports stand at 274.6 million bushels, significantly lower than the 404.4 million bushels recorded in 2025/26.
Corn sales reached 410,700 tons (16.2 million bushels), marking a sharp increase from the prior week and a 46% rise from the four-week average. Spain bought 257,600 tons and Mexico purchased 74,000 tons; however, cancellations from unknown destinations totaled 285,000 tons. Late in the 2025/26 marketing year, corn exports have reached 3.445 billion bushels, an increase compared to 2.777 billion bushels in 2024/25.
For 2026/27 delivery, corn sales amounted to 924,500 tons (36.4 million bushels), primarily destined for Mexico (416,400 tons) and unknown destinations (253,700 tons).
Sorghum sales registered 3,300 tons (100,000 bushels), a decline of 64% from the preceding week and 30% from the four-week average. China purchased 55,600 tons and Mexico acquired 7,700 tons, but 60,000 tons were canceled by unknown destinations. Current sorghum exports stand at 199.8 million bushels, a substantial increase from 70.7 million bushels at the same time last year.
Rice sales for the 2026/27 marketing year totaled 152,200 tons. Mexico was a key buyer with 66,900 tons, followed by Colombia with 15,000 tons. The USDA indicated that 70,900 tons were carried over from the 2025/26 marketing year. The total rice exports for 2025/26 were 2,540,500 tons, which is 12% lower than the 2024/25 total of 2,886,500 tons.
Soybean sales were reported at 75,100 tons (2.8 million bushels), a notable increase from the prior week but 48% below the four-week average. China accounted for 65,900 tons and Japan for 52,100 tons, while unknown destinations canceled 128,000 tons. Year-to-date soybean exports for the current marketing year are 1.536 billion bushels, compared to 1.876 billion bushels a year ago.
Sales of 1,759,900 tons (64.7 million bushels) for 2026/27 delivery were predominantly to China (1,446,000 tons) and unknown destinations (272,000 tons).
Soybean meal sales reached 69,400 tons, reflecting a 32% decrease week-on-week and a 47% reduction from the four-week average. Vietnam purchased 55,700 tons and Morocco secured 32,400 tons, though unknown destinations canceled orders for 97,500 tons. With the marketing year nearing its final month, soybean meal exports stand at 17,775,000 tons, up from 15,551,700 tons last year.
Sales for 2026/27 delivery of soybean meal totaled 149,000 tons, mostly purchased by the Philippines (48,000 tons) and the Dominican Republic (43,000 tons).
Soybean oil recorded a net reduction of 6,000 tons. Mexico purchased a modest 300 tons, but Canada canceled orders for 6,300 tons. Cumulative soybean oil exports are 372,900 tons, significantly lower than 1,089,100 tons a year ago.
Sales of 4,400 tons of soybean oil for 2026/27 delivery were exclusively to Canada.
Upland cotton sales for 2026/27 reached 905,000 bales. Vietnam acquired 222,500 bales and Pakistan purchased 164,200 bales. The USDA reported 778,900 bales were carried over from the 2025/26 marketing year. The total upland cotton exports for 2025/26 amounted to 11,198,500 bales, a slight increase from the 2024/25 total of 11,191,200 bales.
Net beef sales totaled 14,400 tons, down 27% from the previous week but 10% higher than the four-week average. Major buyers included South Korea (5,300 tons), Japan (3,000 tons), Hong Kong (1,100 tons), Taiwan (100 tons), and China (900 tons). Physical beef shipments were 11,400 tons, a 9% dip from the week prior and 4% from the four-week average, primarily destined for South Korea (3,300 tons), Japan (2,700 tons), Taiwan (1,600 tons), Mexico (1,300 tons), and Canada (900 tons).
Net pork sales soared to 36,300 tons, representing a 33% increase from the prior week and a 29% rise from the four-week average. Leading purchasers were Mexico (14,200 tons), Japan (6,400 tons), South Korea (4,100 tons), Canada (2,800 tons), and China (2,800 tons). Physical pork shipments were 30,600 tons, up 9% week-on-week and 7% from the four-week average, primarily shipped to Mexico (15,100 tons), Japan (3,900 tons), China (3,000 tons), Colombia (2,000 tons), and Canada (1,600 tons). Sales of 100 tons for 2027 delivery were made to Japan.
Source: Brownfield Ag News