Mark's Market Talk for April 20, 2026

The markets made a flip flop last week as May corn was 8 cents higher and beans ended the week 8 cents lower. Crude oil dropped several dollars as the Strait was opened up for the most part. The stock markets had a good week, and all things considered the grain markets held their own as the energy futures started a downhill swing.

Wet weather has prevented the planters from running in most of the Midwest. It is not late by any means, but early planting has held such an advantage the last few years, you just hate getting caught having to plant your corn in May. Our trade area has been blessed with some very needed rain and now we want to turn the facet off for a while.

Corn exports continue to run high while beans are holding their own. The domestic bean crush is very profitable as it is estimated the plants are making 3.30 cents a bushel or more. Bean basis improved again last week as demand is outpacing the available supply. The bears in the bean trade continue to suggest we look at the fundamentals, and we would see that there are plenty of beans in the world and we are trading on the hope that China will buy more. If the Iranian war does wind down we may get our answer in May when Trump heads to China.