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
Strong supplies and rising stocks point to continued price pressure unless demand accelerates.
Seasonal price patterns can inform soybean marketing timing, particularly when harvest prices appear unusually strong or weak.
Low prices are painful now, but production response could support stronger milk markets later in 2026.
At CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney discusses profitability, consumer demand, and how the integrated U.S.–Canada beef supply chain impacts cattle producers across North America.
Texas cowboy chef and host of RFD Network’s Twisted Skillet, Sean Koehler, shares an elote-style street corn dip just in time for Super Bowl Sunday. This skillet-cooked corn dish combines open-fire cooking and bold regional flavors for a delicious twist on Mexican Street Corn.
The USDA’s February WASDE report looms as the CME Ag Economy Barometer shows declining farmer confidence, and more ag industry groups calling for swift policy action.

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:

From rising trade tensions in Europe to a pending Supreme Court decision on tariffs and shifting demand from China, global trade policy spearheaded by President Donald Trump continues to shape the outlook for U.S. agriculture—adding uncertainty as farmers navigate another volatile year.
Congressional leaders signal momentum toward expanded, targeted farm aid to help producers manage losses and cash-flow stress in 2026.
Livestock strength is carrying the farm economy, while crop margins remain tight and increasingly dependent on risk management and financial discipline.
Freight volatility and route selection remain critical to soybean export margins and competitiveness.
Strong balance sheets still matter, but liquidity, planning, and lender relationships are critical as ag credit tightens, according to analysis from AgAmerica Lending.
Protein-driven dairy growth is boosting beef supply potential, creating an opening to support rural jobs and ground beef availability.