USDA Export Data Meets Forecasts as Grain Futures Edge Higher

Weekly U.S. export sales for corn and soybeans aligned with market expectations for the period ending Feb. 12, providing a stable backdrop for agricultural commodities. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), robust demand from Japan and China helped keep volumes within analyst projections, even as wheat sales lagged at the lower end of anticipated ranges.

February 20, 2026, 05:21 PM 0 0

The USDA reported combined corn export sales of 1.54 million metric tons for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 marketing years. Japan emerged as the primary destination for the grain. Meanwhile, soybean bookings reached 864,200 tons, driven largely by demand from China. These figures fell squarely within the estimates previously surveyed by The Wall Street Journal.

Wheat performance was more subdued, with sales totaling 306,500 tons, a figure that touched the bottom of analyst expectations. Mexico remained the leading purchaser for the grain during this window. Despite the mixed volume across commodities, Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) futures reacted positively in premarket trading on Friday.

Market Response and Pricing

Agricultural futures moved higher following the report's release, signaling cautious optimism among traders. The price action across the complex included: