USDA reports the week ending April 26 was a generally strong one for grain and oilseed export sales. Corn, soybean, and soybean oil sales topped pre-report estimates, while soybean meal and wheat sales were within expectations. Physical shipments of soybeans were above what’s needed weekly to meet USDA projections for the 2011/12 marketing year but corn and wheat both fell short of their respective marks.

Wheat came out at 256,700 tons (9.4 million bushels), down 34% from the week ending April 19 and 36% lower than the four week average. Indonesia picked up 65,000 tons and South Korea bought 63,000 tons. With a little more than a month left in the 2011/12 marketing year, wheat sales are 1.002 billion bushels, compared to 1.284 billion late in 2010/11. Sales of 454,800 tons (16.7 million bushels) for 2012/13 delivery were primarily to Mexico (215,400 tons) and Nigeria (90,000 tons).

Corn was reported at 1,331,900 tons (52.4 million bushels), up sharply from the week before and 87% higher than the four week average. Unknown destinations bought 509,500 tons, Japan purchased 357,500 tons, and China purchased 214,000 tons. So far this marketing year, corn sales are 1.469 billion bushels, compared to 1.614 billion this time last year. Sales of 2,140,300 tons (84.3 million bushels) for 2012/13 delivery were mostly to unknown destinations (1,920,000 tons) and China (172,500 tons).

Soybeans were pegged at 598,000 tons (22.0 million bushels), 35% less than the previous week but 14% more than the four week average. Unknown destinations purchased 147,500 tons and Mexico bought 126,100 tons. For the marketing year to date, soybean sales are 1.250 billion bushels, compared to 1.510 billion a year ago. Sales of 1,134,000 tons (41.7 million bushels) for 2012/13 delivery were mainly to China (675,000 tons) and unknown destinations (394,000 tons).

Soybean meal came out at 59,000 tons with sales ranging from 7,300 to 51,200 tons partially offset by cancellations ranging from 4,500 to 33,000 tons. Cumulative soybean meal sales for the current marketing year are 6,346,400 tons, compared to 6,779,900 last year. Sales of 92,700 tons for 2012/13 delivery were to Ireland (33,000 tons), Mexico (32,000 tons), unknown destinations (25,000 tons), and Jamaica (2,700 tons).

Soybean oil was reported at 14,900 tons. The listed purchasers were Morocco (15,000 tons) and Mexico (100 tons) while Canada canceled on 300 tons. 2011/12 soybean oil sales are 372,900 tons, compared to 1,172,600 tons in 2010/11.

Net beef sales totaled 16,800 tons, 9% above the prior week but 8% below the four week average. Sales were to Mexico (4,000 tons), Japan (2,500 tons), Egypt (2,400 tons), Canada (2,100 tons), and South Korea (2,100 tons).