3 Big Things Today, Dec. 23, 2025
- Media Logic Radio
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Tony Dreibus | Published on December 23, 2025
1. Grains, Soybeans Slightly Higher in Overnight Trading
Grain and soybean futures were modestly higher overnight amid light volume ahead of this week’s Christmas holiday.
Corn was given a boost by continued signs of demand for U.S. supplies as export inspections in the seven days through Dec. 18 jumped by 0.8% weekly and 5.2% annually, according to USDA data.
Exports of the grain are up 68% year over year to 22.9 million metric tons, the agency said in a report last week.
Soybeans were slightly higher overnight on guarded optimism about purchases from China.
The Asian nation bought 396,000 metric tons of U.S. beans with 330,000 for delivery in the 2025/2026 marketing year that started on Sept. 1 and the remainder for delivery next year, USDA said.
Wheat futures rose as tensions continue to escalate in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia launched a drone attack on Ukraine overnight, according to several media reports, including in a residential area. Five people were injured, BBC reported.
Moscow also confirmed it struck an energy facility in Ukraine.
Russia is the world’s largest exporter of wheat and Ukraine is tied as the fifth-biggest shipper.
Corn futures for March delivery added 1¾¢ to $4.48¾ a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Wheat futures for March delivery rose ½¢ to $5.16 a bushel, while Kansas City futures gained ¾¢ to $5.22 a bushel.
Soybean futures for January delivery were up 1¾¢ to $10.66¾ a bushel. Soy meal gained $1.20 to $303.10 a short ton and soy oil fell 0.08¢ to 49¢ a pound.
2. Export Inspections Up Across the Board, USDA Says
Export inspections of corn, beans and wheat were all higher in the seven days that ended on Dec. 18, according to a report from the USDA.
Corn inspections totaled 1.74 million metric tons, up from 1.6 million tons the week prior, USDA said. That’s also up from the 1.15 million tons assessed during the same week last year.
Soybean assessments were reported at 870,199 metric tons, up from 810,110 tons in the previous week. Still, that’s less than half the 1.78 million tons inspected at the same point in 2024.
Examinations of wheat for offshore delivery rose to 627,443 metric tons from 489,445 tons a week earlier and 427,429 tons at this time last year, the agency said.
Since the start of the marketing year on Sept. 1, USDA has inspected 24.3 million metric tons of corn for export, up from 14.5 million tons at the same point last year.
Soybean inspections since the beginning of September now stand at 14.6 million metric tons, down from 27 million during the same timeframe a year earlier.
Wheat assessments since the start of the grains marketing year on June 1 are now at 14.8 million metric tons versus 12 million tons at this time last year, USDA said in its report.
3. Snow Possible in Minnesota, Nebraska to See Record Temps
Weather maps seem quiet across the U.S. — much to the chagrin of those wanting a white Christmas — though some snow is possible Thursday night into Friday in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.
A winter system is expected to move across the region on Christmas night, potentially bringing snow, rain, and sleet to the area, the National Weather Service said.
“There is a 20–50% chance of this system causing winter storm impacts that could cause travel delays and difficulties,” the agency said.
In central Nebraska, meanwhile, record-breaking warmth is possible though at least Thursday, NWS said.
“Strong gusts alongside more record warmth expected on Christmas Day,” the agency said, “followed by temperatures cooling slightly by next weekend.”
