The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) released its 2024/2025 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report today, revealing that the average quality of U.S. corn samples tested met or exceeded U.S. No. 2 grade standards on all factors.
The report, based on 425 yellow commodity corn samples collected from export shipments, provides a comprehensive look at corn quality as it enters international markets.
Key findings include:
- Average test weight of 58.3 pounds per bushel, higher than last year and the five-year average
- Broken corn and foreign materials at 2.5 percent, lower than the five-year average
- All samples tested below FDA action levels for aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol
USGC Chairwoman Verity Ulibarri emphasized the importance of transparency in international trade, stating, "The Council seeks to make detailed, accurate information about the quality of U.S. corn available to buyers around the world and facilitate international trade."
The 2024 U.S. corn crop benefited from favorable growing conditions, contributing to record-high projected yields. Warm, dry periods in September and October allowed for timely harvest, maintaining crop quality.
The report complements the earlier 2024/2025 Corn Harvest Quality Report, providing a comprehensive view of corn quality from farm to export.
USGC's international offices plan to present these findings in a series of crop quality seminars in the coming months, aiming to set clear expectations with global buyers and end-users.
