Grain Markets Mixed Amid Harvest Progress and Export Expectations

Corn futures slipped on Wednesday, September 16, as traders weighed harvest pressure against improved domestic supply outlooks and export expectations.

The December corn contract settled at $5.3425 per bushel, down 1.5 cents from the previous day's close.

Soybeans posted modest gains, with November futures rising 1.75 cents to $13.2050 per bushel, while wheat moved higher as traders monitored export demand and changing production prospects among major global suppliers.

The U.S. corn harvest is advancing at a pace ahead of its five-year average, with 8% of the crop already harvested by September 13.

The USDA's supply outlook showed 2026/27 U.S. corn ending stocks at 1.57 billion bushels, down 18% from 2025/26, pushing the stocks-to-use ratio to 9.68%, its lowest since 2021/22.