Soybean Trade Update: Holiday Slowdown Continues as Corn Finds Support in Ethanol Demand
We have updated the soybean trade, and daily trade volume continues to move at a very slow pace. With Christmas coming tomorrow and the New Year’s holiday arriving just a week later, many market participants have already stepped to the sidelines. Seasonal factors are clearly at play, as fewer active trading days and reduced participation continue to limit momentum across the grain markets.
As expected during the holiday stretch, soybean trading activity remains quiet with little fresh news to spark movement. With many traders already having balanced their books for the year, the market is largely in a holding pattern. This lack of volume is typical for late December, but it also means price direction remains difficult to establish in the near term.
Turning to corn, today’s trade can best be described as lackluster, though there are signs of underlying potential. While prices have struggled to gain traction, several supportive fundamentals continue to develop beneath the surface.
Weekly ethanol production numbers have been particularly impressive. In fact, ethanol demand set a record early in December, reinforcing corn’s role in the renewable fuels sector. Corn used for ethanol in October totaled 476.5 million bushels, marking an increase of nearly 3 percent compared to October of last year. This growth highlights steady domestic demand and provides a solid floor for the corn market.
Exports have also been a bright spot. Weekly corn export sales have generally met or exceeded expectations, suggesting that international demand remains intact despite broader market uncertainty. Consistent export performance, combined with strong ethanol usage, gives corn a fundamentally supportive backdrop as the market moves toward the end of the year.
Even with these positives, the corn market appears stuck in neutral. Price action has been steady but uninspiring, reflecting the broader holiday slowdown and the absence of a major catalyst. Traders are aware of the strong demand signals but seem reluctant to push the market higher until participation improves and clearer direction emerges in the new year.
As the holidays approach, both soybean and corn markets are likely to remain subdued. Attention will soon shift to post-holiday trading, updated demand data, and early outlooks for the next growing season. For now, thin volume and seasonal inactivity continue to define the landscape.
Audio Reporting by Mark Oppold for Southeast AgNet.