Corn Export Inspections Ease While Sorghum Stays Strong

Weekly export movement stayed solid, with corn and sorghum continuing to show the strongest overall pace.

shipping containers import export tariffs_Photo by Ralf Gosch via AdobeStock_91592445.png

Photo by Ralf Gosch via Photo by Ralf Gosch via AdobeStock

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The latest grain export inspections report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) showed a mixed week for grain movement, with corn, soybeans, and wheat all moving lower than the previous week, while sorghum remained sharply above year-ago levels. The report offers another snapshot of how demand is lining up late in the marketing year.

Corn inspections for the week ending April 23 reached about 64.7 million bushels. That was down from roughly 68.6 million the week before and just below the 65.6 million bushels inspected during the same week last year.

Soybean inspections totaled about 23.1 million bushels, down from 27.8 million the previous week but still well above 16.9 million a year earlier. Wheat inspections came in near 13.4 million bushels, down from 19.0 million the week before and below 23.9 million last year.

Sorghum inspections reached about 7.1 million bushels. That was lower than the prior week’s 8.0 million, but far above just 900,000 bushels during the same week last year.

Marketing-year movement remains supportive for some crops. Corn, sorghum, and wheat inspections are running well ahead of last year, while soybean totals continue to reflect lighter trade with China.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Weekly export movement stayed solid, with corn and sorghum continuing to show the strongest overall pace.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Related Stories
While the U.S.-China framework for soybean trade is in place, Ohio farmer Chris Gibbs tells us he will believe it when he sees it.
Global nitrogen and phosphate prices remain high despite improved supply fundamentals, with limited Chinese exports and stronger fall applications tightening availability.
Record output, larger stocks, and softer exports point to a well-supplied domestic ethanol market as harvest progresses.
The Court may limit emergency tariff powers, complicating a key bargaining tool; ag could see shifts in input costs and export dynamics as China, Brazil, and India talks evolve.
U.S. sugar producers and processors should brace for price pressure and challenging export logistics with global sugar supply ramping up — driven by Brazil, India, and Thailand — especially at the raw processing level.
David Klein with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) shares an end-of-harvest update and a peek at the farmland market in Central Illinois.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Secretary Rollins’ plan targets high costs, labor challenges, and export growth, delivering relief at home while building markets abroad.
Transportation challenges are mounting as droughts lower Mississippi River levels and push freight rates higher.
Waiting could risk leaving next year’s crop unprotected.
Rising cow numbers and higher yields are boosting milk supplies, which may keep pressure on prices and farm margins into the fall.
U.S. soybean farmers are growing increasingly frustrated by Argentina’s gains in Chinese grain contracts and Trump’s pledge of economic support for the South American ally.
The USDA is moving to close the farm trade gap through promotion, missions, and stronger export financing.