Corn, wheat, and soybean futures ended higher in post-USDA trade on Tuesday, with wheat leading the advances.
Wheat climbed sharply after the USDA delivered bullish surprises in both its acreage and grain stocks reports. American all-wheat plantings for 2026 were estimated at 42.74 million acres, more than 1 million below the 43.8 million expected by traders. Spring wheat and durum area also fell short of expectations, while June 1 wheat stocks of 920 million bu came in below the 931 million bu trade forecast. September Chicago gained 9 ½ cents to $5.89 ¼, and September Kansas City added 10 ½ cents to $6.25 ¼. September Hard Red Spring was 17 ¼ cents higher at $5.98 ¼, and September Minneapolis was up 5 ¾ cents at $6.06 ½.
Corn advanced after the USDA estimated June 1 stocks at 5.29 billion bu, below the average trade expectation of 5.415 billion. The lower-than-anticipated inventory suggested stronger old-crop demand and overshadowed the acreage report, which put 2026 corn plantings at 95.3 million acres—virtually unchanged from March and close to expectations. September closed up 6 ½ cents at $4.16 ¾, and December gained 6 cents to $4.36.
Soybeans finished higher despite USDA figures that were slightly less supportive. Planted area reached 85.37 million acres, just above the 85.2 million expected, while June stocks of 1.06 billion bushels also narrowly exceeded forecasts. However, spillover buying from corn and wheat, and renewed attention to summer Midwest weather helped lift soybean futures. August beans added a nickel to $11.24 ¼, and November was up 4 ¾ cents at $11.43 ¾.
