U.S. corn stocks jumped 35% to 2.10 billion bushels in early September compared to the previous year, while wheat and soybean inventories declined, according to USDA grain storage data released Tuesday.
- Corn stocks surge: Old crop corn inventories reached 2.10 billion bushels on September 1, up 35% from the same date in 2025, with 787 million bushels on farms and 1.31 billion bushels in off-farm facilities.
- Wheat stocks fall sharply: Wheat inventories dropped 14% to 1.85 billion bushels, the steepest decline among major grains, including 547 million bushels on farms.
- Soybean inventories decline: Soybean stocks fell 3% to 315 million bushels, with disappearance increasing 61 million bushels during the June-August period.
- Summer disappearance patterns: Corn disappearance reached 3.20 billion bushels during June-August, slightly higher than the prior year's 3.10 billion bushels.
- Mixed results for smaller grains: Barley stocks decreased 13%, grain sorghum fell 13%, but oats increased 5% and sunflower stocks climbed 45%.
U.S. corn inventories jumped sharply in early September, while wheat and soybean stocks declined compared with the previous year, according to Grain Stocks data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Old crop corn stocks in all positions totaled 2.10 billion bushels on Sept. 1, up 35% from the same date in 2025, the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported. On-farm storage accounted for 787 million bushels, while off-farm facilities held 1.31 billion bushels.
The surge in corn stocks came as disappearance during the June-August period reached 3.20 billion bushels, slightly higher than the 3.10 billion bushels during the same three months a year earlier.
Soybean inventories moved in the opposite direction, dropping 3% to 315 million bushels on Sept. 1. Farmers stored 90.4 million bushels on their properties, while off-farm locations held 225 million bushels. Soybean disappearance increased to 744 million bushels from 683 million bushels in the prior year’s June-August period.
Wheat stocks showed the steepest decline among major grains, falling 14% to 1.85 billion bushels. The total included 547 million bushels on farms and 1.30 billion bushels in off-farm storage. Summer disappearance totaled 608 million bushels, down from 710 million bushels a year ago.
Among smaller grain categories, barley stocks decreased 13% to 131 million bushels. On-farm barley inventories stood at 84.7 million bushels, down 12% from September 2025, while off-farm stocks of 46.0 million bushels were 15% lower. Disappearance during the summer quarter fell 17% to 51.4 million bushels.
Oats bucked the downward trend with a 5% increase to 67.5 million bushels. Farmers held 42.8 million bushels on their properties, up 4% from last year, and off-farm stocks rose 9% to 24.7 million bushels. Summer disappearance remained relatively flat at 33.4 million bushels.
Grain sorghum stocks declined 13% to 35.0 million bushels, though on-farm inventories actually increased 43% to 3.62 million bushels. Off-farm stocks dropped 17% to 31.3 million bushels. Disappearance plunged 47% to 31.7 million bushels during the June-August period.
Sunflower stocks climbed 45% to 303 million pounds. Off-farm facilities held the bulk at 276 million pounds, while farms stored 26.4 million pounds. Oil-type sunflower seed accounted for 263 million pounds of total stocks, with non-oil varieties making up 39.3 million pounds.
