U.S. corn and wheat export sales posted strong gains in the latest reporting week, while soybean sales moved sharply lower. USDA says corn export sales reached 769,500 metric tons for the week ending October 1. That was up 44 percent from the previous week and 28 percent above the four-week average. Mexico led corn purchases with more than 508,000 metric tons, followed by Colombia and Japan.

Wheat sales increased 56 percent to more than 451,000 metric tons, with major buyers including the Philippines, South Korea, Bangladesh and Japan. Soybean sales fell 47 percent to about 549,000 metric tons. China purchased nearly 383,000 tons of U.S. soybeans, but the total was reduced by a large cancellation from an unidentified buyer. Export demand remains an important factor for grain prices as harvest continues.

By: NATHAN STUEDLEU.S. corn and wheat export sales posted strong gains in the latest reporting week, while soybean sales moved sharply lower. USDA says corn export sales reached 769,500 metric tons for the week ending October 1. That was up 44 percent from the previous week and 28 percent above the four-week average. Mexico led corn purchases with more than 508,000 metric tons, followed by Colombia and Japan.Wheat sales increased 56 percent to more than 451,000 metric tons, with major buyers including the Philippines, South Korea, Bangladesh and Japan. Soybean sales fell 47 percent to about 549,000 metric tons. China purchased nearly 383,000 tons of U.S. soybeans, but the total was reduced by a large cancellation from an unidentified buyer. Export demand remains an important factor for grain prices as harvest continues.

U.S. corn and wheat export sales jump as soybean sales decline