U.S. corn export inspections continued to surge last week, while soybean movements lagged previous years, according to the USDA’s export inspections report on Monday. U.S. corn shipments totaled 2.05 million metric tons (MMT) during the week ending Nov. 13. Volumes were 38 percent higher than the same week last year and a marketing-year high. Inspections were also 135 percent higher than the same week last year.

Mexico was the No. 1 destination for U.S. corn during the week, followed by Japan and South Korea. Spain and Colombia also landed in the top five. Accumulated inspections for the season rose to 15.84 MMT, up 73 percent from the previous season. Corn exports continued to run at a rapid pace this year, led by demand from Mexico.

Last week, the USDA raised its 2025/26 corn export forecast to a record 3.075 billion bushels. Current exports account for about 20.3 percent of the USDA’s target. That compares to last year’s pace of just 15.5 percent.

Soybean export inspections rose 4.6 percent last week to 1.18 MMT. Volumes remained 48 percent below the same week last year, as no shipments were reported for China. China has been scooping up some cargoes of U.S. soybeans for delivery in December and January, according to USDA data and media reports.

Italy was the top destination for U.S. soybeans last week, followed by Mexico and Egypt. Year-to-date inspections rose to 10.11 MMT, still sitting 42.5 percent below last year. Inspections continued to run at the slowest in more than a decade.

Wheat export inspections were lackluster last week, falling 15 percent to 246,500 metric tons (MT), though volumes were still 25 percent above the same week last year. Shipments had been above the five-year average for much of the marketing year.

Japan led the shipments for the week. Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, and the Philippines rounded out the top five destinations. Accumulated shipments for the season rose to 12.36 MMT, running 19.3 percent ahead of last year. Total inspections continued to run at the fastest pace since the 2016/17 marketing year.

Sorghum export inspections more than doubled last week to 83,300 MT. Shipments were even 33 percent above last year but were still well below the five-year average. The inspected grain was bound for Spain, Japan, and Mexico. Year-to-date shipments rose to 345,800 MT, tracking 55 percent below last season.

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