WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — U.S. corn export inspections continue running well ahead of last year, providing an important demand signal as harvest approaches. USDA reports marketing-year-to-date corn inspections at 80.95 million metric tons, up 26 percent from 64.22 million tons last year.
Weekly corn inspections reached 1.91 million metric tons, up sharply from 1.05 million a year earlier. Mexico and Japan were the largest destinations, followed by Colombia, Spain and other markets.
Soybean inspections tell a different story. Marketing-year shipments totaled 40.04 million metric tons, 18 percent below last year, while weekly inspections were also sharply lower year over year.
Wheat inspections are running 19 percent behind last year at 3.89 million metric tons, although the latest weekly total reached 493,401 tons, above last year’s comparable week. Sorghum remains the outlier, with year-to-date inspections up 125 percent.
For producers, corn export momentum remains the strongest signal, while weaker soybean and wheat shipments leave those markets more dependent on improved demand ahead.
