U.S. Grain Export Inspections Fall Sharply from Last Week

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.

U.S. exports 1280x720.jpg

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — U.S. grain export inspections dropped to 2.55 million metric tons for the week ending October 23, 2025 — down about 25 percent from the previous week and well below the same week a year ago, according to USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service.

Corn remained the top mover at 1.19 million tons, a decline from 1.32 million the prior week, though cumulative shipments since September 1 are now 10.5 million tons — well ahead of last year’s pace. Soybeans saw the steepest week-to-week drop, falling to 1.06 million tons versus 1.59 million the week before and less than half the 2.63 million recorded during the same week in 2024. Wheat exports totaled 259,000 tons, about half of last week’s volume.

By destination, key soybean buyers included Egypt, Mexico, Germany, Italy, and several Southeast Asian markets, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. Corn shipments moved primarily through the Mississippi River system, with Mexico, Colombia, and Spain leading destinations.

So far this marketing year, total grain exports inspected stand at 28.9 million metric tons, up about 5 percent from last year’s pace. However, analysts note the slowdown reflects both seasonal logistics and market uncertainty tied to trade negotiations with Canada, China, and Brazil.

Farm-Level Takeaway: 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.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Expert
Related Stories
While the U.S.-China framework for soybean trade is in place, Ohio farmer Chris Gibbs tells us he will believe it when he sees it.
Global nitrogen and phosphate prices remain high despite improved supply fundamentals, with limited Chinese exports and stronger fall applications tightening availability.
Record output, larger stocks, and softer exports point to a well-supplied domestic ethanol market as harvest progresses.
The Court may limit emergency tariff powers, complicating a key bargaining tool; ag could see shifts in input costs and export dynamics as China, Brazil, and India talks evolve.
U.S. sugar producers and processors should brace for price pressure and challenging export logistics with global sugar supply ramping up — driven by Brazil, India, and Thailand — especially at the raw processing level.
David Klein with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) shares an end-of-harvest update and a peek at the farmland market in Central Illinois.
Host of RealAg Radio Shaun Haney discusses how the proposed reductions to agriculture programs in Canada’s new budget could affect research and support programs that farmers need.
Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl shares more about the tour to gather farmers’ insights on the economic challenges they face in the ag economy.
Wheat futures briefly hit a three-month high before retreating as the markets wait for word on whether the deal will actually happen.

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:

According to November’s Cattle on Feed Report, Nebraska now leads the nation in cattle feeding as tighter supplies continue to reshape regional market power and long-term price dynamics.
Higher rail tariffs and tighter Canadian supplies will keep oat transportation costs firm into 2026.
Industry support ensures continued funding for mango marketing and research, helping sustain long-term demand growth.
Lower U.S. and Mexican production means tighter sugar supplies and greater reliance on imports headed into 2026.
Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
Lower tariff rates and new rail-service proposals may improve corn movement efficiency during early-season marketing.