Corn prices are up 2 to 4 cents to start Monday trading, recovering from last session’s losses. Open interest increased by nearly 20,000 contracts on Friday. March futures dropped 12 ½ cents during the holiday week. The national average cash corn price rose by 2 ½ cents to $3.98 1/4.

Export Sales data for the week of 12/25 is expected to show between 0.7-1.5 MMT in corn bookings. A USDA report revealed 471.87 mbu of corn used in ethanol in November, slightly higher than last year. Corn grind in the first quarter was down just 0.2 mbu from the previous year.

March 26 corn closed at $4.37 1/2, down 2 3/4 cents but currently up 3 1/2 cents. Nearby cash was $3.98 1/4, up 2 1/2 cents. May 26 corn closed at $4.45 1/2, down 2 3/4 cents, currently up 2 3/4 cents. July 26 corn closed at $4.52, down 2 1/2 cents, currently up 2 1/2 cents.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Corn Taking Back Thin Friday Losses to Start Monday Trade