U.S. corn exports totaled 7.099 million metric tons (MMT) in December, up 30 percent year-over-year. That was the largest monthly volume since last May and a record for the month. Mexico remained the top importer for the month, accounting for about a third of the shipments. Japan and South Korea were the next largest buyers.

For the marketing year that began in September, total shipments reached 28 MMT, sitting 51 percent above the same period last season. Much of the growth has been driven by exports to South Korea (270 percent), Japan (74 percent), Mexico (7 percent), and Colombia (6 percent). Mexico has been the largest buyer for multiple years due to the country’s demand for corn feed and disappointing harvests. There has also been significant growth in exports to the rest of the world as the U.S. diversified its customer base.

U.S. soybean exports in December totaled 4.46 MMT, 44 percent lower than the same week last year. That was the lowest December print since the previous trade war with China in 2018. China was the top destination for U.S. soybeans during the month, accounting for 31 percent of the total, as shipments to the country picked up. Mexico was the second-largest destination for the month, followed by Indonesia and Egypt.

Year-to-date shipments for the 2025/26 marketing year reached 16.97 MMT, still about 24 percent below the previous season. Sluggish exports to China weighed on overall soybean demand. Demand outside of China has been higher this year, with higher year-over-year exports to Mexico, Indonesia, Egypt, Japan, and Pakistan. However, China’s return to the buyer list is expected to weigh on demand from other major importers.

Wheat exports totaled 1.9 MMT in December, up 15 percent year-over-year and a four-month high. Mexico was the largest importer for the month, despite declining from December 2024. The Philippines was the No. 2 destination, followed by Bangladesh, Thailand, and Japan.

Year-to-date shipments for the season that began in June reached 15.43 MMT, rising 21 percent from the previous year. Additionally, exports have been running at the fastest pace in about five years, sitting just below the pace seen in the 2020/21 season. Growth in wheat exports this season has been largely driven by shipments to Mexico, the Philippines, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Colombia.

The January U.S. Census Trade Data will be released on March 12.