CBOT corn gains ground on export strength

CHICAGO, March 17 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade corn futures finished higher on Monday on strong export numbers and a weaker dollar, according to analysts.

• CBOT May corn CK25 settled up 2-1/2 cents to $4.61 a bushel.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday reported export inspections of corn at 1,658,631 metric tons, in line with trade expectations for 1,000,000-1,950,000 tons.

• Last week, USDA reported export sales of corn at 967,300 tons, in line with trade expectations for 725,000-1,400,000 tons.

• The dollar hovered near a five-month low against the euro on Monday as investors worried about the economic fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist trade policies.

• A weaker dollar tends to make U.S. exports cheaper and more competitive to holders of other currencies on the global market.