(Bloomberg) -- Corn rose the most in five months after China bought more than 100,000 metric tons of the grain from U.S. exporters for the first time since 2001. Soybeans and wheat also gained.

China acquired 115,000 tons of corn from the U.S., the biggest grower and exporter, for delivery by Aug. 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. The last time USDA announced that China bought more than 100,000 tons of corn was on Dec. 11, 2001, a purchase that was later canceled. Chinese production is expected to drop 6.6 percent this year, the USDA said.

“China stepped in early and that makes it extra friendly to the corn market,” said Mike Zuzolo, the president of Global Commodity Analytics in Lafayette, Indiana.

“Sources I have were suggesting China would not come in until well after we were planted and after they got their planting done.”

Corn futures for July delivery rose 13 cents, or 3.7 percent, to $3.6675 a bushel at 10:02 a.m. on the Chicago Board of Trade. A close at that price would be the biggest gain for a most-active contract since Nov. 25. Before today, the price was down 15 percent this year, partly because of rising stockpiles in the U.S.

Soybean futures for July delivery rose 7.5 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $10.005 a bushel in Chicago. Before today, the price declined 5.3 percent this year, partly because of rising global output.

Wheat futures for July delivery rose 4.25 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $4.9475 a bushel in Chicago. Before today, the most- active contract fell 9.4 percent this year because of reduced demand for U.S. grain and rising global stockpiles.

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