Spot basis bids for soybeans shipped by barge to U.S. Gulf Coast terminals eased on Thursday, as new data from the federal government showed that U.S. export sales dropped to a marketing-year low last week.

  • U.S. soybean export sales for 2025/26 were 41,786 metric tons in the week that ended on June 25, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. Analysts expected 300,000 to 650,000 metric tons, according to a Reuters poll.

  • China, the world's biggest soybean importer, bought 65,389 metric tons, according to USDA. This included 68,000 metric tons that were switched from unknown destinations and decreases of 2,600 metric tons.

  • For 2026/27, total U.S. soybean export sales were 182,533 metric tons, which also fell short of analysts' estimates.

  • The possibility of renewed Chinese demand had recently supported soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade. On Thursday, futures were mixed before the Independence Day holiday weekend.

  • CBOT grain markets will stay closed on Friday in observance of the holiday.

  • CIF soybean barges loaded in July were bid at 85 cents over CBOT July soybean (SN26) futures, down 2 cents from Wednesday.

  • FOB export premiums for soybean vessels loaded at the Gulf in July were around 110 cents over July futures.

  • CIF corn barges loaded in July were bid at 94 cents over CBOT July (CN26) futures, up 1 cent.

  • July CIF corn barges also traded at 94 cents over futures. A week ago, they traded at 91 and 92 cents over futures.

  • FOB export premiums for Gulf corn vessels loaded in July were about 102 cents over futures.

  • USDA reported weekly U.S. corn export sales were 732,070 metric tons for 2025/26 and 767,756 for 2026/27. Both were within analysts' estimates.

  • Next Friday, USDA is slated to issue monthly updates on global supplies and demand.

For displays of CIF basis, click on the codes in brackets:

U.S. CIF Gulf soybeans (GRYM)

U.S. CIF Gulf corn (GRYN)

U.S. CIF Gulf SRW wheat (GRYO)

U.S. CIF Gulf HRW wheat (GRYP)

For displays of FOB basis, please click on the following codes in brackets:

U.S. FOB Gulf corn (GRZC)

U.S. FOB Gulf soybeans (GRZD)

U.S. FOB Gulf SRW wheat (GRZE)

U.S. FOB Gulf HRW wheat (GRZF)

LINKS

U.S. barge freight

U.S. export sales estimates

U.S. grain export summary

Brazil soybean export prices (SYBS)

Brazil corn export prices (SYBX)

Argentina grain prices (GRA/ARG)

Russia grain prices (GRA/RU)