Corn Futures Surge Above $5 on Strong Export Demand

The U.S. grain market closed higher on Friday, August 21, with corn leading gains and December futures settling above $5 per bushel.

Stronger export demand fueled the rally, as private exporters reported selling 8.1 million bushels of U.S. corn to unknown destinations for delivery during the 2026-27 marketing year.

Soybeans also finished modestly higher, while winter wheat moved lower.

The shift in market momentum matters economically for U.S. farmers because stronger commodity prices ahead of the 2026 harvest could create opportunities to protect revenue and improve cash-flow projections.