Corn Trading Higher Ahead of Export Sales Release

Group 1 - Corn prices increased by 1 to 3 cents on Thursday morning, supported by gains in wheat and a weaker US dollar index, with futures closing up 1 ¼ to 3 ½ cents across the board [1] - The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price rose by 3 3/4 cents to $3.94 1/2 [1] - Preliminary open interest increased by 20,796 contracts, indicating new buying interest in the corn market [1] Group 2 - EIA data revealed a decrease in ethanol production by 5,000 barrels per day to 1.114 million bpd for the week of January 23, while stocks decreased by 339,000 barrels to 25.4 million barrels [2] - Ethanol exports fell by 61,000 bpd to 157,000 bpd, but refiner inputs of ethanol increased by 31,000 bpd to 883,000 bpd [2] Group 3 - Export Sales data is expected to be released, with traders anticipating 2025/26 corn bookings between 1 to 2.5 million metric tons for the week of January 22, and sales for 2026/27 projected between 0 and 200,000 metric tons [3] - March 26 Corn closed at $4.30, up 3 1/2 cents, while May 26 and July 26 Corn closed at $4.38 and $4.44 respectively, both showing gains [3]