Corn Export Inspections Surge as Soybean Pace Slows

U.S. export inspections turned in another strong corn week.

corn crop aerial_adobe stock.png

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. export inspections turned in another strong corn week, while soybean movement eased and wheat improved modestly. USDA said total grain inspected for export during the week ending April 30 reached the equivalent of about 120.3 million bushels across major commodities, up from the previous week and above the same week last year.

Corn led the report. Inspections reached about 79.8 million bushels, up from 65.2 million the week before and above 63.7 million a year earlier. Marketing-year corn inspections now stand at about 2.18 billion bushels, well ahead of roughly 1.67 billion at this point last year.

Soybeans moved lower. Weekly soybean inspections totaled about 16.5 million bushels, down from 23.5 million the previous week, though still above 12.3 million a year ago. China remained the top soybean destination, followed by Mexico, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

Wheat inspections rose to about 15.9 million bushels from 13.6 million the prior week and edged above the same week last year. Marketing-year wheat inspections reached about 819.1 million bushels, up from roughly 731.8 million a year earlier.

Sorghum inspections stayed solid at about 5.6 million bushels, with nearly all of that volume moving to China. The latest report showed export demand still leaning heavily toward corn, while soybean movement lost some momentum week to week.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Corn export movement remains the strongest piece of the grain export picture, while the soybean pace has softened from the prior week.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Related Stories
Higher milk supplies are being met with strong export demand, though rising costs continue to pressure producers.
Farm leaders say renewing the trade agreement is critical to protecting agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico.
Secretary Brooke Rollins says expanding export markets remains a key priority for strengthening the U.S. farm economy.
The average age of covered barges also rose to 18 years, compared with 13 years from 2012 through 2016.

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:

USDA says total food spending has continued to climb as consumers spend more dining away from home.
The funding will support construction and renovation projects aimed at strengthening agricultural research nationwide.
Processors are pulling more potatoes through the pipeline, giving growers a mixed read on demand.
Record beef prices are reshaping dairy decisions, pushing dairy replacement inventories to the lowest level since 1978.
Floriculture sales climbed sharply in 2025, according to the USDA, giving greenhouse, nursery, and garden-plant producers a stronger annual benchmark after uneven years.
AARP says benefits stretch further in lower-cost states, but often still fall short of basic expenses.