Traders said soyabean offers rose, supported by gains in the CIF barge market, which supplies exporters.
"An exporter was a big buyer of beans today," a trader said, adding that there was talk of fresh sales to China.
Another trader said fresh export sales lifted FOB basis offers for soyabeans. "There was some business done."
Traders said the return of China to the market was a welcome sign, especially after the country's purchase of just 2,900 tonnes of US soya in the week ended November 17.
USDA early in the day said exporters had reported the sale of 116,000 tonnes of US soyabeans to China for delivery in the current marketing year that began September 1.
There has been concern about soya demand from China as the country battles to contain the deadly bird flu virus. More than 20 million chicken had been culled in China this year.
Traders said CIF soyabeans for November shipment traded at 62 cents a bushel premium the CBOT January contract.
Corn basis values were steady to higher, supported by slow farmer selling and some export demand.
"There is some Latin American demand," a trader said, adding that demand from Asia included Taiwan seeking 23,000 tonnes of corn and 12,000 tonnes of soya from the United States.
Traders said CIF corn for November shipment traded at 52 cents a bushel premium the CBOT December, while December shipments traded at 54 cents over.