3 Big Things Today, December 20, 2024 [Video]

Soybean and grain futures were higher in overnight trading on continued optimism about demand for U.S. products. 

Exporters reported sales of 277,200 metric tons of soybeans to an unnamed country with 152,200 tons set for delivery in the 2024/2025 marketing year that started on Sept. 1 and the rest for delivery next year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. 

That follows sales of 135,000 tons of corn and 120,000 tons of soybean meal to Colombia, all for delivery in the current marketing year, announced Wednesday. 

On Tuesday, USDA said exporters sold 170,400 tons of corn to Mexico, 187,000 tons of soybeans to Spain and 132,000 tons of soybeans to an unknown destination. 

Soybean sales to overseas buyers in the week through Dec. 12 totaled 1.42 million metric tons, the government reported. That’s up 21% from the previous week, but down 74% from the prior four-week average. 

Corn sales were reported …