In 2019, first quarter grain (corn, wheat, and soybeans) inspected for export from all U.S. ports reached 29.5 million metric tons (mmt), according to the USDA Grain Transportation Report.
This indicates a 6% decrease from last year and a 5% drop from the 5-year average, according to USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS).
Although first quarter inspections were down from last year for corn and soybeans, wheat inspections were up. Total grain inspections decreased primarily because of slower than normal demand for corn and soybeans, especially from Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
Inspections of grain in the Gulf were slightly below last year. Pacific Northwest (PNW) grain inspections decreased as well during the first quarter.
Read the full report here.
