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
Eliza Petry joins the RFD News team with a strong connection to agriculture and a commitment to covering the people and issues that matter most to rural America.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer helps producers navigate farm program payments and understand the key details farmers need to know.
Reliable waterways lower costs, protect export demand, and support long-term farm profitability.
USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg joined us with a recap of the Malaysia trade mission and a look at USDA’s broader trade strategy moving forward.
Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition shares how extreme winter weather is affecting the ag transportation network and what producers should keep in mind as conditions slowly improve.
Strong White House backing supports ethanol demand, but timing now hinges on Congress resolving procedural — at the same time as they push toward a spending bill to avert another federal government shutdown.

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:

Falling livestock prices, combined with higher input costs, continue to squeeze farm profitability heading into 2026.
Smaller cow numbers and a declining calf crop point to prolonged tight cattle supplies, limiting near-term herd rebuilding potential.
Strong rail demand and higher fuel costs raise transportation risk even as barge and export flows stabilize.
Record milk output looks strong today, but shrinking replacement numbers mean future supply adjustments could be faster and more volatile.
Often overlooked, cotton wholesalers act as stabilizers during market stress, translating fragmented retail demand into workable production programs for mills and manufacturers.
Strong blending demand continues to support ethanol use even as production and exports fluctuate.