Corn Futures End Week Steady – U.S. Planting Progress and Export Sales in Focus
➡ Corn Futures End Week Steady – U.S. Planting Progress and Export Sales in Focus
Corn futures at the CBOT closed higher on Friday for nearby deliveries, reducing weekly losses. Favourable weather forecasts for planting and solid export sales to Mexico supported the market.
After a volatile week, corn prices managed a slight recovery to limit weekly losses. U.S. planting progress and new export announcements stabilised sentiment. Euronext contracts also edged higher but still posted a weekly decline.
Corn futures at the CBOT closed higher on Friday for nearby deliveries, reducing weekly losses. Favourable weather forecasts for planting and solid export sales to Mexico supported the market.
After a volatile week, corn prices managed a slight recovery to limit weekly losses. U.S. planting progress and new export announcements stabilised sentiment. Euronext contracts also edged higher but still posted a weekly decline.
📈 Market Situation & Price Development
🇺🇸 CBOT (U.S. Market)
➡ July futures recovered slightly after a challenging week.🇪🇺 Euronext (EU Market)
➡ Minor gains on Friday, but the weekly trend remained negative.🔍 Key Market Drivers
- 🌦 U.S. Planting Acceleration Expected:
- Drier conditions forecast for the Midwest
- Commodity Weather Group sees planting pace picking up
- 📊 Crop Progress & Outlook:
- USDA report pending release today
- Fast progress is expected compared to the 5-year average
- 🇫🇷 France Spring Planting Update (FranceAgriMer):
- 50% of corn seeded vs. 42% 5-year average
- Rain risks in southwest France could delay further planting
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine Planting Delay:
- 2.0 million ha seeded as of April 24 (−17% YoY)
- Snow and cold weather delayed planting
- Moisture reserves are currently adequate
- 🚢 U.S. Corn Exports (USDA):
- Two large sales to Mexico:
- 130,000 t for 2024/25
- 130,000 t for 2025/26
- Two large sales to Mexico:
- 📉 CFTC Fund Positioning (as of April 22):
- Net-long reduced by 11,768 contracts
- New total: 112,805 contracts
- Funds trimmed positions during last week’s weakness
- 🇯🇵 Japan Considers Boosting U.S. Corn Imports:
- Part of broader trade talks
- Japan is already the second-largest U.S. corn buyer (10.09 Mt YTD)
☁️ 14-Day Weather Trend (Key Growing Regions)
🌍 Corn Market Snapshot (Updated)
💡 Trading Recommendations & Market Assessment
- 🔄 Short-term consolidation after weather- and fund-driven swings
- 🌦 Watch U.S. planting data today for the next directional move
- 🚢 Export flow steady, particularly to Mexico and Japan
- Maintain cautious positioning near-term
- Look for buy opportunities if U.S. planting progress is slower than expected or if export data remains strong
🔮 3-Day Price Forecast (April 29–May 1)
