Supported by export demand, soybean futures closed with strong gains on Thursday. Corn also advanced while wheat was mainly higher.
The USDA’s weekly export sales report this morning showed bookings of US new-crop soybeans for the week ended Aug. 14 at just over 2 million tonnes, more than double the high end of trade expectations that ranged from 400,000 to 1 million tonnes. Bargain buying after recent declines added to the upside. September beans were up 19 ½ cents at $10.34 ½, and November added 20 cents to $10.56.
Good export demand also boosted corn. The export sales report pegged bookings of American new-crop corn for the week ended Aug. 14 at 2.86 million tonnes, the second highest for the 2025-26 marketing year so far and above trade expectations. September gained 7 ¼ cents to $3.87 ¼, and December climbed 7 ¾ cents to $4.11 ¾.
The advances in corn and soybeans offered support to wheat, although a middling export sales report did weigh. Total bookings of US wheat for the week ended Aug. 14 were reported at 519,752 tonnes, on the low end of pre-report trade ideas. September Chicago was 1 ½ cents higher at $5.07, and September Kansas City added 2 ½ cents to $5.03 ¼. September Hard Red Spring closed 8 ½ cents higher at $5.40 ½, but September Minneapolis eased ¾ of a cent to $5.69 ¼.
