USDA Report Shows Declining Corn and Soybean Quality Ratings

The latest USDA crop progress report, released on Monday, revealed a decline in corn quality ratings. Only 54% of the crop is now rated in good-to-excellent condition, a 3-point drop from the previous week. This figure fell below trade expectations, which ranged between 55% and 57%. The remaining crop is split between 28% fair and 18% poor or very poor, both categories seeing slight increases.

Physiologically, 83% of the corn crop is fully mature, up from 72% the prior week, matching the five-year average. Harvest progress reached 23%, lagging behind analyst estimates of 26% and the five-year average of 27%.

Soybean quality also dipped by 1 point, with 57% of the crop now in good-to-excellent condition, aligning with trade guesses. About 29% is rated fair, while 14% falls into the poor or very poor category. Harvest progress stands at 25%, slightly below the five-year average of 33%.

Winter wheat plantings for the 2026-27 season are at 36%, up from 27% the previous week but still behind the five-year average of 46%. Analysts had anticipated a higher figure, with predictions varying widely. Emergence of winter wheat has reached 16%, up from 8% the prior week.