Corn futures posted slim gains across front months on Friday, with prices rising 1 to 2 cents as traders weighed fresh export data and the latest government supply figures.
The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price climbed 1 1/4 cents to $3.81, reflecting a cautious but positive tone heading into the weekend session.
Export Sales data placed the old crop export commitment total at 82.767 million metric tons, representing 98% of the USDA’s newly updated export projection and matching the 98% average sales pace.
Shipments of 64.5 million metric tons stand at 76% of the USDA figure, running slightly behind the 78% average shipping pace for this point in the marketing year.
New crop business has totaled 4.124 million metric tons so far this year, marking a 31.6% increase compared to the same point last year, a figure that signals strengthening forward demand.
The USDA’s monthly WASDE report pegged old crop U.S. ending stocks at 2.145 billion bushels, a 3 million bushel increase from the prior month’s estimate.
Corn used for ethanol was reduced by 25 million bushels in the report, though that reduction was fully offset by a corresponding 25 million bushel increase in the export figure, while imports were raised by 3 million bushels.
The 3 million bushel import adjustment carried through into the next marketing year, lifting those ending stocks by 3 million bushels as well to reach 1.96 billion bushels.
On the South American production front, Brazil’s corn output was raised by 3 million metric tons to 138 million metric tons, while Argentina saw a 2 million metric ton increase to 61 million metric tons, with the two countries combining for a 15 million metric ton hike in output over just the last two months.
Weather conditions added a layer of complexity to the market outlook, as NOAA’s 7-day quantitative precipitation forecast showed expected rainfall of 2 to 4 inches stretching from Missouri to Ohio, with parts of eastern Iowa and Wisconsin receiving 1 to 2 inches.
The western half of Iowa, Minnesota, and much of the northern Plains west of the Missouri River were forecast to receive little to no rainfall, raising concerns about dry conditions in key growing areas.
As of Friday’s midday session, July 2026 corn was trading at $4.13, up 1 1/4 cents, while September 2026 corn sat at $4.21 1/2, up 1 1/2 cents, and December 2026 corn reached $4.40 3/4, up 1 1/4 cents.
New Crop Cash was quoted at $3.96 1/2, up 1 3/4 cents, pointing to slightly stronger gains at the deferred end of the market.
