(NAFB.com) – USDA data said exports of corn and wheat remain well ahead of year-earlier levels, while soybeans lag behind last year’s pace through the week of December 18. Corn exports from the start of the marketing year on September 1 through mid-December stood at 24.61 million metric tons, up 67 percent year-over-year. Wheat shipments from the beginning of the marketing year through December 18 totaled 14.561 million metric tons, a 24 percent increase. Soybean exports from September 1 were reported at 14.237 million metric tons, down 46 percent on an annual basis. USDA said total commitments by overseas buyers to purchase U.S. ag products tell the same story. U.S. corn sales rose 31 percent year over year to 49.781 million metric tons, and wheat sales to offshore importers were up 18 percent to 20 million metric tons. Soybean sales were reported through December 18 at 26.833 million metric tons, down 32 percent.
