U.S. corn futures finished higher on Thursday, supported by fresh uncertainty over Midwest yield potential, while soybeans and wheat ended the session mixed.
Corn found support from Pro Farmer crop tour results, which have reinforced concerns that yields may not meet earlier expectations in parts of the Corn Belt. Even a modest production cut could significantly reduce projected carryout and provide additional underlying support for prices. The USDA’s weekly export sales report this morning showed 232,892 tonnes of old-crop corn sales in the week ended Aug. 13, within trade expectations, while new-crop sales of 816,097 tonnes were also within trade ideas. December corn was up 5 ½ cents at $5.03 ½, and march added 4 ½ cents to $5.18 ¼.
Soybean futures were narrowly mixed as traders balanced concerns over late-season crop prospects against solid export demand. USDA reported 85,016 tonnes of old-crop soybean sales, a three-week high, while new-crop sales of 1.723 million tonnes were near the upper end of trade expectations and more than 50% above the same week last year. November beans slipped ¾ of a cent to $12.36 ½, and March was 1 ¾ cents higher at $12.57 ¼.
For wheat, the USDA reported 393,655 tonnes of 2026-27 wheat sales, near the upper end of expectations and the third-highest weekly total of the marketing year, although still below the comparable week last year. December Chicago wheat gained 2 ½ cents to $7.00, and December Kansas City eased a ¼ cent to $7.20 ½. December Hard Red Spring was up 2 3/4 cents at $7.20 ¼, and December Minneapolis was 7 ½ cents higher at $7.27 ¾.
