2026.05.1504:02:12UTC+00Corn Rises on US-China Trade Optimism

Corn futures climbed back above $4.70 per bushel, recouping part of the previous session’s losses, after the US signaled the possibility of large-scale Chinese purchases of American agricultural products. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said China is expected to buy “double-digit billions” of dollars’ worth of US farm goods annually over the next three years, reinforcing expectations for stronger export demand.

The gains followed a nearly 3% pullback from a one-year high, after the first day of high-stakes talks between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping ended without concrete details on purchase volumes, timing, or product mix.

At the same time, the latest USDA outlook pointed to ample US corn supplies extending into 2027, with production projected at about 16 billion bushels, near record levels. Ending stocks are forecast at roughly 1.96 billion bushels—still comfortable despite a modest decline—while exports are expected to ease to around 3.15 billion bushels.