US wheat exports reach highest level in five years

The MY 2025/26, which ended on May 31, became the strongest season for U.S. wheat exports since 2020/21. According to U.S. Wheat Associates, final export inspections reached 23.7 million tonnes (871 million bushels), nearly 15% higher than the previous marketing year.

The organization noted that U.S. wheat maintained its competitiveness in global markets despite geopolitical uncertainty, volatile freight rates, and strong competition from other major exporters. Brian Liedl, Vice President of Overseas Operations at U.S. Wheat Associates, said that U.S. wheat successfully found buyers even in a year marked by record or near-record harvests among leading exporting countries.

More than 55 countries purchased U.S. wheat during the marketing year. Meanwhile, prices for major U.S. wheat classes have declined in recent weeks and are moving closer to their historical spreads ahead of the new marketing season.

According to U.S. Wheat market analyst Luke Muller, rising ocean freight costs driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East and shifting trade routes are affecting all exporters, not just the United States. Higher freight rates could make it more difficult for competing suppliers to access certain markets, particularly in Latin America.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has already reported sales of more than 3 million tonnes of wheat for the MY 2026/27. Analysts expect significant changes in production among both major exporters and importers, which could reshape global wheat trade flows in the coming season.

Tags: wheat, USA, export