December corn opened 7 1/4 cents higher on the day at 535 and established an early range of 532 1/2 to 541. The higher open in corn this morning followed a late surge in the overnight session. Additional buying after the open was credited to short covering by locals and commission houses. South Korea is said to be in the market for 165,000 tonnes of corn for delivery in December. This week's export sales for corn were above trade expectations, confirming recent reports from cash traders of increased interest in the corn export market following the sharp break in futures. Net sales were 337,900 tonnes for old crop and 718,400 for new crop for a total of 1,056,300. Total old crop sales to date stand at 98.7% of the USDA forecast versus a 5 year average of 95.9%. Old crop sales need to average 184,000 tonnes each week to reach the USDA forecast. Japan was the biggest buyer in old crop with Japan and Mexico the biggest in new crop. The Scientific Service of the European Union has just estimated the EU's total 2008/09 cereal crop at 301 million tonnes compared to 258 million tonnes last year. This may be the highest estimate of that crop to date. Basis levels at the Gulf are said to be steady to firm in nearby positions on a continuation of strong demand for the corn export market amid continued light selling by farmers.