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
Record U.S. sorghum crop faces weak demand as China slashes imports, while corn farmers warn of rising costs, shrinking margins, and global market pressures.
Dairy farmers are expected to face strong output and export gains, but lower prices and tighter margins will persist into next year.
Ethanol producers face a widening opportunity window as aviation and marine fuel markets expand, with the potential to add billions in demand if policy and certification align.
All eyes will be on today’s Cattle on Feed Report, which analysts say could give a clearer picture of where the market goes next.
Corn and beef exports showed strong momentum, cotton sales surged, and soybean sales held steady, though China remains absent from the U.S. market.
Cheaper freight is helping exports move, especially corn, but weaker soybean demand looms large.

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:

The Senate has cleared a path to reopen USDA, but full restoration of services depends on House approval and the President’s signature.
Verified U.S. data show real leather’s carbon footprint is lower than advertised — an edge for the American cattle industry in both marketing and byproduct value.
Stagger buys and diversifies fertilizer sources — watch CBAM, India’s tenders, and Brazil’s import pace to time urea, phosphate, and potash purchases.
Tight cattle supplies keep prices high for ranchers, but policy shifts, export barriers, and packer losses signal a volatile road ahead for the beef supply chain.
Distillers dried grains (DDG) values follow corn and soybean meal trends, with ethanol grind and feed demand shaping costs into early 2026.
Pork producers should prioritize health and productivity gains, hedge feed and hogs selectively, and watch Brazil’s export pace and China’s sow policy for price signals.