LUBBOCK, TX – Questions over U.S. corn shipments to China began when USDA’s October 19 Grain Export Inspections report showed 73 metric tons of yellow corn, roughly 2,900 bushels, inspected for China from the Interior region during the week ending October 15.
The small shipment stood out because China has purchased almost no U.S. corn in recent marketing years. A broader review found Census and Global Agricultural Trade System records showing 32,569 metric tons exported to China from January through August 2026, while USDA Grain Export Inspections data accounted for only 3,232 metric tons.
That leaves roughly 29,337 metric tons unmatched. USDA said the difference could involve destination changes at shipment or exemptions from Federal Grain Inspection Service requirements, but its reporting system cannot determine which explanation applies.
USDA also confirmed its Export Sales database shows no 2025/26 or 2026/27 corn originally reported to unknown destinations that was later switched to China, eliminating one possible explanation for the discrepancy.
The full Census volume equals roughly 1.28 million bushels, still too small to indicate a meaningful return of China as a major U.S. corn buyer.
Farm-Level Takeaway: A small October corn inspection triggered questions, but USDA data still shows no evidence that China has resumed large-scale U.S. corn purchases.