(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — The average aggregate quality of U.S. corn samples tested for the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) 2024/2025 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report released today was better than or equal to U.S. No. 2 on all grade factors.
“It’s difficult to understate the role of transparency in building trust between business partners, and 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,” said Verity Ulibarri, USGC chairwoman. “As always, we acknowledge the tremendous work done by the analysts that contribute so much to the report and to the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for providing samples for study.”
The export cargo quality report is a companion to the 2024/2025 Corn Harvest Quality Report, published last fall. The new report provides information about the quality of the most recent U.S. corn crop at harvest as it enters the international merchandising channels.
Both reports provide reliable information on U.S. corn quality from the farm to the customer based on transparent and consistent methodology, offering an early view of grading factors established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, moisture content and other characteristics not reported elsewhere. The reports identify any noticeable changes occurring between these two time periods caused by shipping and logistics.
The 2024/2025 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report is based on 425 yellow commodity corn samples collected from export shipments as they underwent inspection and grading processes performed by the FGIS or other licensed inspectors.
The 2024 U.S. corn crop experienced favorable growing conditions that contributed to the highest projected yield average on record and warm, dry periods in September and October permitted a timely harvest and maintained the quality of the crop.
Average test weight, that came in at 58.3 pounds per bushel, was higher than in 2023/2024 and the five-year average of prior crops (5YA). Broken corn and foreign materials registered at 2.5 percent after moving through export channels, lower than the 5YA. All samples tested below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level for aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol.
The Council’s eight international offices will roll out the new results in a series of crop quality seminars in the coming months. These outreach activities help establish clear expectations with buyers and end-users regarding the quality of corn this marketing year.
View the 2024/2025 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report here.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.