U.S. Ag Futures Climb Into Early Christmas Close on Export Strength and Position Shifts

Overview

• Soybeans advance 10–12 cents as USDA confirms a marketing‑year high 2.396 MMT sale for the week of Dec. 11, with managed money cutting the net long by 32,560 to 147,778 contracts as of Dec. 16 and export commitments at 25.778 MMT, 33% below last year.
• Corn adds 2–3 cents with Dec. 18 export inspections at a strong 1.744 MMT and total commitments at 47.579 MMT, 31% above a year ago, while CFTC data show specs flipped to a 52,672‑contract net long by Dec. 16.
• Wheat rallies into the early close after Dec. 18 shipments reached 627,443 MT and commitments totaled 19.855 MMT, 22% ahead of last year, even as funds expanded net shorts in Chicago and KC through Dec. 16.
• Cattle trade turns mixed to lower in live contracts on Wednesday with cash sales around $229–$230 reported and feeders firmer, as record‑low November placements previously reported continue to support tighter supplies.
• Exchanges observe an early Wednesday close and a full Christmas Day closure before a Friday 8:30 am CST reopen, with thin volume concentrating moves around the latest USDA and CFTC updates.