Corn Leads Export Inspections, Wheat and Soybeans Lag

Corn and wheat inspections outpaced last year, but soybean movement remains seasonally active yet behind, keeping basis and freight dynamics in focus by corridor.

shipping containers import export tariffs_Photo by Ralf Gosch via AdobeStock_91592445.png

Photo by Ralf Gosch via Photo by Ralf Gosch via AdobeStock

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV)Export movement from the United States this week tilted bullish for corn and wheat, while soybeans trailed last year’s pace.

For the week ended October 16, inspections totaled 1.32 million tons for corn (up from 1.21 million last week and above 1.00 million a year ago) and 480,614 tons for wheat (447,531 last week; 270,571 a year ago). Soybeans cleared 1.47 million tons, rebounding week over week but well below 2.55 million a year earlier. Sorghum remained light at 2,195 tons.

Marketing-year-to-date corn inspections reached 9.34 million tons (vs. 5.81 million last year), soybeans 5.54 million (vs. 8.01 million), and wheat 11.19 million (vs. 9.30 million).

The Gulf led volumes, notably Mississippi River loadings, with added strength from North Texas. Pacific Northwest shipments featured soft white wheat and soybeans, while interior rail/river moves supported sizable soybean loadings to Mexico and Taiwan. Soybean destinations skewed toward Bangladesh, Egypt, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, Spain, and Vietnam. Wheat classes were led by soft white through the Columbia River, alongside hard red winter wheat from Texas and the Gulf.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Corn and wheat inspections outpaced last year, but soybean movement remains seasonally active yet behind, keeping basis and freight dynamics in focus by corridor.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Expert
Related Stories
Expect incremental near-term lift for feed grains, proteins, and ethanol as tariff cuts and smoother approvals translate into real orders.
If confirmed, early Chinese buys tighten nearby Gulf/PNW capacity and could bump basis in export-oriented regions.
Trade pacts with Malaysia and Cambodia unlock tariff-free and preferential lanes for key U.S. farm goods, expanding long-term demand in Southeast Asia.
FarmHER Erin Cumings shares how Nationwide’s “Every STEP Counts” helps farm and agribusiness owners prioritize safety.
Shaun Haney, Host of RealAg Radio, discusses President Trump’s move to halt trade talks with Canada and Mexico over a commercial about tariffs launched by the Government of Ontario.
The President’s trip to Asia this week follows a trade mission by the Iowa Soybean Association. Farmers say they were reminded that U.S. soybeans have an international reputation that can be easy to take for granted here at home.
The review signals renewed scrutiny of China’s agricultural trade pledges and could reshape farm export opportunities depending on its outcome.
Export volumes remain positive year-to-date, but weaker soybean loadings and slowing wheat movement hint at early bottlenecks in global demand or river logistics. Farmers should watch basis levels and freight conditions as export competition heats up.
Industry leaders representing more than 40 nations gathered to discuss the future of ethanol and other corn-based products.

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:

Expanded aerial capacity strengthens the U.S.–Mexico buffer against screwworm, providing cattle producers with stronger protection heading into winter and reducing risk to herds along the southern tier.
With the U.S.–Vietnam agreement nearing signature, U.S. cotton, corn, and soybean exporters could lock in new demand lanes just as global supply shifts.
Enforceable origin labels could create clearer premiums for U.S. cattle and address concerns some producers have had with competition from foreign imported beef.
A court decision that overturns Enlist labels would remove two major herbicides from use and reshape EPA’s future mitigation policies for other pesticides.
Rural businesses report softer sales, tougher hiring, and restrained investment — a backdrop that can pinch farm support capacity even if posted prices cool.
Friday’s release will be the first WASDE report in about two months, and early estimates indicate a corn surplus is still on the way.