3 Big Things Today, Aug. 15, 2025

1. Corn Futures Rise on Signs of Demand

Corn futures were higher in overnight trading on signs of demand for U.S. grain. 

South Korea purchased 136,000 metric tons of corn for delivery in the 2025/2026 marketing year that starts Sept. 1, the USDA said Thursday. Spain was also in the market, buying 132,000 tons. 

Sales of 315,488 tons of U.S. corn to Mexico were reported earlier this week, underpinning prices. 

Since the start of the current marketing year last September, exports have been robust for much of the season, USDA data shows. 

Corn shipments are now at 64.4 million metric tons, a 27% increase from the same time frame a year earlier. Soybean exports totaled 48.4 million metric tons, up 13% from the same period the previous year. 

Wheat exports in the grain’s 2025/2026 marketing year that started June 1 were reported at 4.26 million metric tons, a 10% bump from this point last year, the agency said. 

Still, corn prices were capped after the USDA earlier this week raised its production forecast to 16.742 billion bushels on yield of 188.8 bpa. Both would be records. 

Soybean prices were higher overnight on technical buying, though supply and demand fundamentals remain mostly bearish. 

Along with favorable conditions in the U.S., where 68% of soybeans were in good or excellent condition at the start of the week, Brazil’s outlook for production was raised.

Consultancy Conab said it expected Brazilian output at 137 million metric tons, up from the previous forecast for 132 million tons. 

Corn futures for December delivery added 2¼¢ to $3.99½ a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade. 

Soybean futures for November delivery gained 4½¢ to $10.33 a bushel. Soy meal was up 50¢ to $295.50 a short ton, and soybean oil added 0.17¢ to 52.3¢ a pound.

Wheat for September delivery fell ½¢ to $5.03 a bushel, while Kansas City futures were up ¼¢ to $5.04½ a bushel. 

2. Corn Sales Decline, Soybeans Improve

Corn sales for overseas delivery in the 2025/2026 marketing year, which starts at the beginning of September, dropped week-to-week, while soybean sales improved, according to the Ag Department. 

Sales of corn for delivery after Sept. 1 totaled 2.05 million metric tons, down from 3.16 million tons a week earlier, the agency said.

Mexico was the big buyer at 498,400 tons, followed by an unidentified country at 356,200 tons and Japan at 249,000 tons. Taiwan purchased 202,300 tons, and Guatemala bought 161,300 tons. 

Exports for the week totaled 1.52 million tons, up 24% week-over-week, the USDA said. 

Soybean sales for delivery in the 2025/2026 marketing year were reported at 1.13 million metric tons, more than double the 545,000 tons sold the previous week, the agency said. 

An unknown country took 424,200 tons, Mexico purchased 251,100 tons, Taiwan was in for 144,500 tons. Iraq bought 55,000 tons, and Pakistan was in for 55,000 tons. 

Weekly exports dropped 23%, to 533,100 tons. 

Wheat sales, meanwhile, fell to 722,800 metric tons last week, the government said. That’s down 2% from the week prior, but up 14% from this same point last year. 

South Korea took 130,000 tons from U.S. suppliers, Mexico bought 114,900 tons, the Philippines was in for 99,500 tons, Sri Lanka purchased 66,000 tons, and Japan took 60,600 tons. 

Exports for the week plunged 49% to 340,800 tons, the USDA reported. 

3. Heat Advisories Issued for Large Part of the Midwest

Hot weather is expected for a large chunk of the Corn Belt. Heat advisories have been issued from central Iowa south to the Louisiana Gulf Coast. 

Heat indexes in southern Iowa are expected to reach as high as 105°F this afternoon, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported early this morning. 

Values in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois are forecast to hit 108°F, the agency said. 

Indexes in parts of Arkansas are forecast to top out at 109°F. 

Farther north, thunderstorms are possible into Tuesday in parts of southern Michigan and northern Indiana, the NWS said. 

“While severe weather is not expected, locally heavy rain, lightning, and wind gusts to around 40 mph will be possible with stronger storms,” the agency said.