Corn Inspections Strong As China Buys More Soybeans

Export inspections showed continued strength in corn movement, while China remained a key destination for soybeans.

WASHINGTON, DC (RFD NEWS) — Corn export inspections remained the strongest weekly grain signal for the week ending May 21. USDA inspected 62.3 million bushels of corn, up from 55.1 million the previous week and 55.9 million one year ago.

Corn marketing-year inspections reached 2.37 billion bushels, more than 518 million ahead of last year. Soybean weekly inspections totaled 21.0 million bushels, nearly unchanged from the previous week but well above last year’s 7.3 million.

China was listed for about 5.0 million bushels of soybeans moving through Puget Sound and the Mississippi River. China also received nearly all of the inspected sorghum, but total sorghum volume collapsed to about 122,000 bushels from 5.6 million bushels the previous week.

Wheat inspections improved to 13.5 million bushels from 8.7 million, but trailed last year’s 20.7 million. Near the end of the wheat marketing year, inspections totaled 862.7 million bushels, up from 783.1 million one year earlier.

Corn remains the leading shipment story, while China activity supports soybean and sorghum movement despite lighter marketing-year soybean inspections.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Corn inspections remain strong, while China continues providing important demand for soybeans and limited sorghum movement.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Related Stories
Policy awareness is becoming part of everyday risk management.
Reliable canal infrastructure supports long-term access to global agricultural markets.
Corn export pace remains the bright spot, but stable ethanol export demand remains a critical support for corn markets.
Rail consolidation could affect grain basis, freight rates, and service reliability across major producing regions.
Ag leaders say President Donald Trump’s State of the Union is unlikely to spark major agriculture headlines, but ongoing tariff uncertainty and trade policy remain key concerns, as does the debate around glyphosate and the status of the next Farm Bill.
Higher output keeps milk supplies ample, reinforcing expectations for softer dairy prices even as feed costs remain favorable.

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:

As farmers and ranchers navigate rising input costs, lawmakers are considering a roughly $15 billion aid package to help, which would be tied to the spending bill for the war with Iran.
Lower costs improve competitiveness, but demand remains uncertain.
Policy clarity will determine the trajectory of soybean crush demand, but producers in Kansas have shown that expanding local crush capacity strengthens basis and marketing options.
Corn and soybean shipments continue to move at a steady pace as spring trade flows develop.
Growing milk supply may pressure prices ahead.
Bigger flocks are rebuilding egg and poultry supply.