Commodity Markets: Corn Strengthens Tuesday, EIA Data Expected Wednesday

The lead: Corn futures closed higher Tuesday, up 2 to 3 cents. The national average Cash Corn price was $3.94 1/4, a 2 1/2-cent increase. With EIA data due Wednesday, market participants anticipate a reduction in ethanol output for the week ending January 30, 2026. Supporting details: According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), December corn used for ethanol reached a record 488.26 million bushels, a 5.1% increase from the same week last year. The marketing year corn used in ethanol production stands at 1.863 billion bushels, up 1.1 million bushels from the prior year. A South Korean importer secured 134,000 MT of corn in a tender. As of publication, March 26 Corn closed at $4.28 1/2, up 2 3/4 cents; Nearby Cash was $3.94 1/4, a 2 1/2-cent increase; May 26 Corn closed at $4.35 3/4, up 2 1/4 cents; and Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.42, also up 2 1/4 cents.