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
Expanding bioethanol use strengthens rural economies, supports farm markets, and positions U.S. agriculture at the center of global low-carbon trade.
Lyndsey Smith with RealAg Radio discusses how global trade dynamics could shape the future of Canada’s pulse exports.
“Farmers for Free Trade” warns that disaster is brewing as President Trump’s trade policy is causing farm input costs to rise even more.
Corn and wheat inspections outpaced last year, but soybean movement remains seasonally active yet behind, keeping basis and freight dynamics in focus by corridor.
Lawmakers are pressing for answers on how Washington’s “managed trade” approach — keeping leverage through long-term tariffs — will affect farmers, global markets, and future export opportunities.
In the meantime, Senate Majority Leader John Thune is asking that farmers be allowed to use marketing assistance loans to help stay afloat.

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 data confirms that U.S. agriculture remains overwhelmingly family-run despite structural shifts in scale and production, according to a new analystis by Farm Flavor.
Stronger sorghum genetics could enhance the resilience of bioenergy crops and broaden production options for growers in harsher climates.
Rising beef supplies and lower cattle prices, weaker hog markets, and softening dairy prices will shape producer margins heading into 2026.
Canadian tariffs would raise costs for potash, ammonia, and UAN, increasing spring fertilizer risk.
A permanent national E15 standard would boost corn demand, lower fuel costs, and provide a stable path for U.S. energy security.
Outdated reporting thresholds reduce cash-market visibility and increase the urgency of comprehensive Mandatory Price Reporting reform.