Grain Prices Surge in Chicago on Deteriorating Crop Conditions

The Chicago grain markets saw an uptick in prices on August 25, led by corn which gained 1.83% to $197.05 per ton. The increase was driven by deteriorating US crop conditions, with the share of corn rated good to excellent falling by 3 percentage points to 47%. In contrast, Brazil's corn area could expand by 3.1% in 2026/27.

Soybeans also rose, gaining 1.1% to $454.79 per ton, supported by weaker US crop ratings and a new export sale of 132 thousand tons of US soybeans to an unknown destination. However, the gains were more moderate for wheat, which increased by 0.55% to $251.87 per ton.

European markets moved in the opposite direction, with Euronext September wheat remaining at €227.50 per ton and November corn falling to €261.25 per ton.