CBOT corn futures end higher on fuel and fertilizer disruptions

CHICAGO, March 19 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade corn futures ticked up on Thursday as war in the Middle East caused disruptions to fuel and fertilizer markets.

• Brent oil prices LCOc1 jumped above $119 a barrel after Iran attacked energy facilities across the Middle East following Israel's strike on its South Pars gas field. O/R

• Strength in crude oil CLc1 was seen as supportive given corn's role as a feedstock for ethanol.

• The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has cut off critical nitrogen fertilizer supplies from the Gulf to the world's farmers, supporting grains and oilseeds, analysts said.

• U.S. grain markets also have seen support from the so-called "inflation trade" - where rising crude oil prices have investors adjusting their positions for higher headline inflation and increased costs for energy and transportation.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported net weekly U.S. corn export sales for 2025/26 for the week ended on March 12 at 1,183,816 metric tons, within the range of analyst estimates.

• The U.S. Energy Information Administration said weekly production of corn-based ethanol fell in the week ended March 13 to 1.093 million barrels per day, a six-week low. Weekly U.S. ethanol stockpiles rose to 26.407 million barrels, up 827,000 from the prior week. EIA/S

• CBOT May corn CK26 settled up 6-1/2 cents at $4.69-3/4 per bushel.