ICYMI: Council Releases 2022/2023 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report

The average aggregate quality of U.S. corn samples tested for the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) 2022/2023 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report released last week was better than or equal to U.S. No. 2 on all grade factors.

“Foreign buyers have many options when it comes to sourcing their corn for feed, food and fuel, and this report ensures they have the latest and most detailed information when considering U.S. corn,” said USGC Chairman Josh Miller. “International importers and consumers can know that they are making a smart, informed purchase by seeing the exact benefits and characteristics of this year’s crop.”

The report is based on 430 export cargo samples collected from corn shipments undergoing federal inspection and grading processes at export terminals. It also provides information on grading, handling and how U.S. corn is moved and controlled through export channels.

The 2022 U.S. growing season was warm and dry from May to September, accelerating maturation and allowing for a timely harvest that contributed to the 2022 corn crop’s high overall quality.

Average test weight found by the analysis was higher than in 2021/2022 and the five-year average, with 93.3 percent of samples at or above the minimum requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade corn, indicating overall good quality. Chemical composition indicated an 8.7 percent protein concentration, higher than 2021/2022 and the five-year average. The exports had lower average stress cracks and higher average percent of whole kernels than in 2021/2022 and only two export samples tested below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action level for aflatoxins. All samples tested below advisory levels for deoxynivalenol (DON) or vomitoxin.

The export cargo quality report is a companion to the 2022/2023 Corn Harvest Quality Report that 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 (USDA), 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.