WASHINGTON - U.S. wheat export sales exceeded market expectations in the latest USDA weekly export report covering the week ending March 5, while corn demand remained solid and soybean sales underperformed. The report, released Thursday, offers mixed signals for grain markets but highlights continued global demand for U.S. wheat and steady buying interest for corn.

For traders and producers, the data provide an important snapshot of global demand trends as the 2025-26 marketing year progresses, with cumulative corn and wheat sales still running ahead of last year's pace even as soybean exports continue to lag.

Wheat export demand delivered the strongest surprise in the report. Old-crop wheat sales reached 16.7 million bushels, rising 49% above the prior four-week average and surpassing the full range of analyst estimates, which topped out at 16.5 million bushels.

An additional 1.5 million bushels of new-crop sales were also reported. Cumulative wheat export sales for the 2025-26 marketing year have now reached 688.7 million bushels, running 12% ahead of last year's pace, an encouraging signal for U.S. exporters navigating stiff competition from global suppliers.

Weekly wheat export shipments totaled 15.9 million bushels, up 24% week-over-week, though slightly below the recent four-week average. Top destinations included China, Mexico, Thailand, Taiwan and Venezuela, reflecting diversified demand across key international markets.

Corn export sales continued to show resilience despite moderating slightly from recent highs. Old-crop corn sales totaled 60.3 million bushels, with an additional 20,000 bushels of new-crop sales booked during the reporting week.

While sales were 24% lower than the previous week, they were only 2% below the prior four-week average, placing the results near the middle of analysts' expectations, which ranged between 31.5 million and 86.6 million bushels. Cumulative corn sales for the 2025-26 marketing year have reached 1.643 billion bushels, running 32% ahead of last year's pace, a sign that export demand remains a major support for the U.S. corn market.

Export shipments were also strong, totaling 67.4 million bushels, about 1% above the prior four-week average. The top buyers were Mexico, Colombia, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, all consistent buyers of U.S. corn.

The report also showed improving demand for U.S. sorghum, which posted 3.9 million bushels in export sales, about 12% above the four-week average.

China remained a key buyer, alongside Spain, Mexico and Japan. Total sorghum export commitments for the marketing year have reached 94 million bushels, more than double last year's pace, highlighting strong international demand for the crop.

Soybean sales were the weakest point in the report. Old-crop soybean sales totaled 16.8 million bushels, with 350,000 bushels of new-crop sales added during the week. While sales improved 19% from the previous week, they were still 2% below the four-week average.

Cumulative soybean export sales for the marketing year have reached 997.5 million bushels, running 19% behind last year's pace, underscoring ongoing challenges for U.S. soybean exports. Shipments also slowed, totaling 36.6 million bushels, which was 9% below the prior four-week average. Even so, China remained the largest buyer, followed by Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico and Colombia, confirming that Asian demand continues to anchor U.S. soybean exports despite slower overall sales.

The mixed export data comes at a critical point in the marketing year, when traders are closely monitoring demand signals to gauge price direction. Stronger-than-expected wheat sales may offer bullish support for wheat futures, while continued strength in corn exports suggests global buyers are still relying heavily on U.S. supplies.

However, the slow pace of soybean sales highlights ongoing competition from South American exporters, particularly Brazil, which continues to expand its role in global soybean trade.