Kansas Wheat broke down U.S. wheat export sales for the 2025/2026 marketing year ended May 31 with a 15% increase over the previous year, reaching 23.7 million metric tons or 871 million bushels. This marked the highest export volume since 2020/2021 and provided some relief to farm families facing low farmgate prices.
Strong demand from diverse markets
More than 55 countries purchased U.S. wheat during the year, reflecting steady demand despite global challenges such as geopolitical uncertainty and fluctuating freight costs. Sales to both established core markets and emerging price-sensitive markets grew, showing the broad appeal of U.S. wheat.
Hard red winter wheat, mainly grown in Kansas, saw a 58% jump in export sales to 8.67 million metric tons. Mexico remained the largest buyer of this class, increasing purchases by 44% to 2.26 million metric tons. Other traditional markets like Japan, South Korea, and Colombia also posted gains.
Emerging markets showed notable growth, with sales to Nigeria up 221%, Venezuela up 118%, and Indonesia up nearly 75% compared to the previous year. These increases reflect ongoing efforts by U.S. Wheat Associates to support customers with technical assistance and education.
Outlook for 2026/2027
Looking ahead, the USDA has already reported over 3 million metric tons of sales for the new marketing year. Harvest has begun in the southern United States, and U.S. Wheat Associates continues to work on positioning producers to meet demand across a range of markets.
The steady export performance during a year of record global wheat production and intense competition shows the continued reliance on U.S. wheat by buyers worldwide. Maintaining this momentum will depend on strengthening trade relationships and adapting to changing global supply conditions.
