Corn Pulls Back from 7-Week High

Corn futures fell below $4.4 per bushel, retreating from a seven-week high reached on July 15 as investors locked in profits following a disappointing weekly US export sales and an improving weather outlook across the Midwest. The USDA reported old-crop corn export sales of 315,000 metric tons for the week ended July 9, well below market expectations of 500,000 to 1.1 million tons, while new-crop sales totaled 311,200 tons, near the lower end of forecasts of 300,000 to 1.1 million tons. Meanwhile, weather conditions became more favorable after a week of intense heat, with forecasts pointing to cooler temperatures and increased rainfall across key growing regions, boosting production prospects. Higher crude oil prices provided further support amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East and a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. However, losses were capped by expectations of tighter US supplies after the USDA lowered its 2025/26 ending stocks estimate in its July WASDE report.