Chicago Board of Trade corn futures finished higher on Thursday as traders awaited US crop data and details on the initial trade agreement with China, traders said.

Traders are waiting for the US Department of Agriculture to issue crop production data on Jan. 10 amid uncertainty about the size of the autumn harvest, which was delayed by cold, wet weather.

Traders also continue to wait for details on the Phase 1 trade agreement between Washington and Beijing and to expect increased Chinese demand for US farm goods like corn.

In rival supplier Argentina, the world's third-largest corn exporter, rains have improved conditions for crops, the Buenos Aires grains exchange said.

Most-active corn futures matched a high of $3.92 a bushel from Monday, which was the highest price since October 22.