U.S. Soybean Export Inspections Surge as Corn Shipments Falter

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, soybean inspections reached 1.2 million metric tons, significantly outpacing the 727,529 tons recorded during the same period last year. China remained the primary driver for the oilseed, accounting for more than half of the weekly volume at 684,069 tons.

In contrast, corn inspections fell to 1.49 million tons, trailing both the previous week’s performance and the 1.62 million tons seen a year ago. Mexico led as the top buyer of U.S. corn. Wheat inspections also softened week-over-week to 375,402 tons, though they remained higher than the prior year’s levels, with Japan serving as the leading destination for the grain.

The mixed export data weighed on Chicago Board of Trade futures during morning activity. While soybean contracts gained 0.3% on the back of the positive inspection figures, corn futures slipped 0.9% and wheat prices dropped 1.8% as traders reacted to the shifting demand landscape for American agricultural commodities.