GRAINS-Corn steadies after three-week low with planting in focus

By Gus Trompiz and Naveen Thukral

PARIS/SINGAPORE, March 27 (Reuters) - Chicago corn ticked higher on Thursday as an easing in the dollar helped prices come off a three-week low linked to expectations of increased planting by U.S. farmers this year.

Wheat also steadied following a three-week low, while soybeans edged up to move away from a two-week low.

Grain markets were looking ahead to Monday's U.S. planting and stocks data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as seeking greater clarity on broad tariffs promised by U.S. President Donald Trump from April 2.

"The corn market has been under pressure on expectations of a big U.S. acreage number to be released next week," said one trader in Singapore. "However, further direction can only be ascertained once we have the acreage number."

U.S. farmers will plant 94.361 million acres with corn this year, up from 90.594 million in 2024, according to an average of analysts polled by Reuters before the USDA report.

The average trade estimate for soybeans was 83.762 million acres, down from 2024's 87.050 million acres.

Grain markets have also been pressured this week by forecast of rain in the U.S. and Russian wheat belts and an agreement to implement a ceasefire in the Black Sea.

But reaction to the U.S.-backed deal, involving warring parties Russia and Ukraine, has faded as traders saw little scope for boosting already-functioning Black Sea trade while doubting that Russian conditions would be met.

The most-active corn contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Cv1 was up 0.1% at $4.51-3/4 a bushel by 1158 GMT, having earlier dropped to its lowest since March 5.

CBOT wheat Wv1 added 0.2% to $5.36-1/4 a bushel after touching its lowest since March 4.

CBOT soybeans Sv1 were up 0.4% at $10.05-1/4 a bushel to edge away from Wednesday's two-week low.

The dollar index =USD eased from a three-week high as investors reacted to Trump's announcement of tariffs on auto imports. FRX/

The soybean market remained curbed by the arrival of a bumper Brazilian harvest, though some market estimates have been lowered due to drought in the south of the country.

Grain markets are also awaiting weekly U.S. export sales data later on Thursday for an update on overseas demand.