Photo credit: U.S. Wheat Associates.
U.S. wheat export inspections reached 23.7 million metric tons in the 2025-26 marketing year, up nearly 15% from a year earlier and the highest level since the 2020-21 marketing year.
The marketing year closed May 31, 2026, with exports exceeding USDA's initial projection of 21.8 million metric tons, or 801 million bushels. The agency revised its forecast multiple times during the year as sales continued to outpace the prior marketing year.
More than 55 countries purchased U.S. wheat during the year, reflecting demand from both long-established customers and price-sensitive markets that increased purchases despite strong global competition.
“U.S. wheat continued to move steadily into global markets despite a year marked by geopolitical uncertainty, volatile freight costs and intense competition from other exporting origins,” said Brian Liedl, U.S. Wheat Associates vice president of overseas operations. “In a year where there were record or near-record crops in almost every major wheat exporting country, U.S. wheat found its place in the market.”
Mexico remained the largest destination for U.S. wheat, continuing its position as the leading buyer of hard red winter wheat and soft red winter wheat and the second-largest purchaser of hard red spring wheat. Mexico purchased nearly 153 million bushels, an increase of 3% from the previous year.
Japan, the Philippines and South Korea also maintained strong purchasing activity, reinforcing their importance as key export destinations for U.S. wheat.
Among the notable growth markets were Nigeria and Indonesia, both of which exceeded their five-year average purchase levels.
Nigeria imported 1.65 million metric tons, or 60.7 million bushels, of U.S. wheat during the marketing year, more than double the volume purchased a year earlier. The increase occurred despite lower-priced competition from other wheat-exporting countries during the second half of the marketing year. U.S. Wheat Associates said Nigeria's continued demand reflects the country's milling needs and evolving sourcing patterns within West Africa.
Indonesia also posted significant gains, purchasing 1.15 million metric tons, or 42.4 million bushels, of U.S. wheat, a 50% increase from the previous year. The growth followed a memorandum of understanding signed in July between U.S. Wheat Associates and APTINDO, Indonesia's flour milling association. The purchases fulfilled commitments outlined in that agreement and highlighted renewed opportunities in one of the world's largest wheat-importing markets.
The export results came despite increasing global wheat supplies and ongoing geopolitical pressures that affected international trade flows throughout the year.
“What made this marketing year notable is that both core and swing markets performed well at the same time,” Liedl said. “Core markets continued to purchase through the second half of the marketing year when U.S. prices appreciated significantly and kept our supply chains moving. At the same time, several re-emerging and price-sensitive markets increased purchases. That is not a coincidence; it is a return on investment that plays out slowly and then all at once.”
Looking ahead, early sales for the 2026-27 marketing year have already surpassed 3 million metric tons, or 110 million bushels, according to USDA data.
“The 2025-26 marketing year serves as a reminder that even in a competitive and uncertain environment, American wheat farmers, supported by U.S. wheat, are finding opportunities to grow exports and deliver value across the world,” said Luke Muller, U.S. Wheat Associates market analyst. “Maintaining this momentum will depend on continuing to strengthen trade relationships in both core and emerging markets and continuing to adapt to shifting global supply dynamics.”
Attention is now turning to the 2026 U.S. wheat harvest, which has begun in southern production areas. As harvest advances, export market development efforts will continue as the industry seeks to maintain momentum in both established and emerging markets amid shifting global supply conditions.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates, "2025/2026 Year-End Numbers Reflect Solid Wheat Sales to Core and Swing Markets"