U.S. corn and wheat shipments declined sharply ahead of the Christmas holiday last week, according to the USDA’s Grain Export Inspections report released on Monday. Corn export inspections fell 25.5 percent to 1.3 million metric tons (MMT) during the week ending Dec. 25. Volumes were still 43 percent above the same week last year and remained at seasonal highs.

Mexico was the No. 1 destination for U.S. corn during the week, while Colombia, Japan, and South Korea also landed in the top five. Mexico has maintained its strong lead of U.S. corn imports as the country secures supplies to feed its cattle.

Accumulated corn export inspections rose to 25.57 MMT, sitting 66 percent above last year’s pace. Total inspections remain well above the five-year average and at a record due to substantial growth in exports to Mexico and other key buyers.

Soybean export inspections fell 19 percent last week to 750,300 metric tons (MT). Volumes were also 54 percent below the same week last year amid muted export demand. Soybean inspections have been operating well below the five-year average for much of the marketing year.

China was the top destination for U.S. soybeans, followed closely by Egypt. Japan and Indonesia also landed in the top five for the week. Larger shipments could begin to go to China moving forward, as the country is outpacing others for total commitments of U.S. soybeans, according to export sales data as of Dec. 11. However, the U.S. has been shifting away from its primary export window as more soybeans from South America become available.

Year-to-date inspections rose to 15.4 MMT, down 46 percent from the previous year.

U.S. wheat export movements fell 53 percent from the previous week to 302,100 MT, the lowest print in over a month. Volumes fell below last year’s levels but remained above the five-year average.

Bangladesh was the No. 1 destination for U.S. wheat last week, followed by Thailand and the Dominican Republic.

Accumulated inspections for the marketing year rose to 15.06 MMT, 22 percent higher than last year. Wheat movements reached 61 percent of the USDA’s 2025/26 target and remained at the fastest pace since the 2016/17 marketing year.

U.S. sorghum export inspections surged last week to 69,400 MT, driven by larger shipments to China. Mexico was also on the destination list for the week. Total shipments for the marketing year remained 55 percent lower than last year at 617,000 MT.

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