Grain Comments: 05-29-2026

Good morning.

Markets are seeing mixed trade round out the week with soybeans trying to hold onto the gains made yesterday. Energy markets are trading lower this morning as optimism grows that a U.S./Iran ceasefire remains possible. Geopolitical tensions and widespread heat/minimal rain in the forecast for much of the Midwest over the next week will be monitored closely by traders. Corn futures this morning are trading 2-3 cents lower, soybean futures are 4-5 cents higher, and the Chicago wheat market is 1-2 cents lower.

This morning’s weekly export sales report, with data for the week ending May 21st, is expected to show old crop corn sales in the week between 900k-2 mil MTs, old crop soybean sales between 150k-400k MTs, and old crop wheat sales between 0-200k MTs. For the new crop, corn sales are seen between 300k-500k MTs, soybean sales are seen between 0-300k MTs, and wheat sales are seen between 100k-300k MTs.

The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange in their weekly crop update this week kept production estimates unchanged for both corn and soybeans. The group sees corn production at 64 MMTs, while soybean production is seen at 50.1 MMTs. Harvest progress advanced 10% on the week to 84.6% complete for soybeans and advanced roughly 2% on corn to just 34.7% complete.

Argentina has made significant progress with planting its wheat crop for the 26/27 crop year with just over 14% complete, aided by favorable soil moisture. This planting pace is the highest recorded by the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange. Argentina is a key exporter of wheat, but production is expected to be roughly 23% lower than the previous season at 21.3 MMT.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Thursday said it has been investigating fertilizer prices, which have since soared after the start of the U.S. and Iran conflict. A survey done by the American Farm Bureau Federation last month found that many farmers could not afford all the fertilizer they would need for the upcoming growing season due to costs.

Weekly data from the USDA showed barge shipments down the Mississippi River in the week ending May 23rd totaling 711k tons, which was down 2% from the week prior. Corn shipments in the week were seen at 459k tons, down 1% from last week, and soybean shipments were seen at 222k tons, which was down 8% from the week prior. STL barge freight rates were quoted at $17.96/short ton this week, down $0.12 from the week prior.

Weekend weather across the Midwest looks to feature ongoing heat and limited precipitation into next week. There continues to be a divide with warm/dry conditions through the Midwest and most of the Cornbelt while the south and southeast will continue to see cool/wet conditions.

Have a great day.