Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures closed lower on Thursday with the trade volumes of corn and wheat shrinking sharply ahead of a key grain stocks report.

The most active corn contract for December delivery fell 1.5 cents, or 0.42 percent, to 3.525 dollars per bushel. December wheat delivery slid 6.5 cents, or 1.41 percent, to 4.55 dollars per bushel. November soybeans went down 6 cents, or 0.62 percent, to 9.595 dollars per bushel.

Traders saw a dull and lower session on Thursday. Not only because it was toward the end of this month and quarter, but also one day before the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) releases its Quarterly Grain Stocks Report and many anticipate a bearish one.

The futures of corn and wheat went down 1.5 to 6.5 cents as the latest export sales were near to below expectations. Profit-taking also played a role in the price decline of wheat.

As for soybeans, even a record-high weekly export demand failed to prompt significant buyings.