CHICAGO, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures closed lower on Friday following disappointing U.S. agricultural export data.

The most active corn contract for March delivery fell 2 cents, or 0.56 percent, to 3.55 dollars per bushel. March wheat delivery went down 6 cents, or 1.36 percent, to 4.3475 dollars per bushel. January soybeans declined by 4 cents,or 0.40 percent, to 9.9325 dollars per bushel.

The latest export sales report released on Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates a disappointing overall picture.

For their respective crop years to date, U.S. wheat export sales stand at 624 million bushel, which are 7.5 percent behind last year. U.S. corn sales of 843 million bushel are 27 percent below last year, while U.S. soybeans sales are 17 percent less than the same period of last crop year.

The ample stocks and the downbeat trend at European wheat market added further pressure on CBOT wheat futures.

Ethanol production in the United States rose to a record high last week, but inventories also increased, said market observers, failing to support the corn futures. Enditem

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