Corn Futures Rally as Planting Pace Outstrips Averages; Export Data Shows Surge
Market Performance Overview
Corn futures posted Monday gains of 1 ¼ to 3 ¼ cents across the board. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was up 3 1/2 cents at $4.15 1/4.
Specific contract closures reflected this upward momentum:
- Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.60 1/4, up 2 3/4 cents.
- Dec 26 Corn closed at $4.79 1/2, up 2 1/2 cents.
Planting Progress Accelerates
According to NASS Crop Progress data released Sunday, the US corn crop stands at 11% planted. This represents a pace 2% ahead of the 5-year average of 9%. Furthermore, the crop was 4% emerged, which is 2 percentage points faster than normal.
Export Shipments Surge
USDA's FGIS tallied corn export shipments at 1.669 MMT (65.7 mbu) during the week ending on April 16. That figure was 2.89% above the week prior and 3.33% below the same week last year.
Key destinations for this shipment included:
- Mexico: Top destination with 507,053 MT.
- Japan: 352,667 MT.
- South Korea: 277,579 MT.
On a year-to-date basis for the 2025/26 marketing year (since September 1), exports total 51.71 MMT (2.036 bbu). This volume is now 31.79% above the same period last year.
Market Context and Disclaimer
While corn saw strength, other commodities faced different pressures; concerns over global supply disruptions lifted coffee prices during this period.
*Note: On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes.*
Original source
Published: Apr 20, 2026
Disclosure
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