【美国谷物协会】2024-2025美国玉米出口品质报告

2024/2025 U.S. Corn Export Cargo Quality Report Summary

Core Content

This report presents the findings of the 14th annual U.S. Grains Council corn quality survey, focusing on the quality of U.S. yellow corn export cargoes during the 2024/2025 marketing year. The data is based on samples collected from export shipments loaded from November 2024 through early March 2025, and it provides insights into the quality attributes of the corn, including grade factors, chemical composition, physical factors, and mycotoxin levels.

The report highlights the overall good quality of the 2024/2025 corn crop, which was influenced by favorable growing conditions and effective drying and harvesting practices. It also emphasizes the importance of these quality reports for foreign buyers to make informed decisions about corn purchases for feed, food, and industrial applications.

Main Points

• Quality Overview: The 2024/2025 corn export samples showed better or equal quality to the U.S. No. 2 grade across all grade factors, with improved test weight and whole kernels and reduced broken corn and foreign material (BCFM) and total damage compared to previous years.

• Grade Factors:

  • Test Weight: The U.S. Aggregate average test weight was 58.3 lb/bu (75.0 kg/hl), which is higher than previous years and well above the U.S. No. 1 grade minimum.
  • BCFM: The average BCFM was 2.5%, consistent with 2023/2024, but lower than the 5YA and 10YA. It was also below the U.S. No. 2 grade limit.
  • Total Damage: The average total damage was 1.8%, which is lower than the 5YA and 10YA but higher than 2023/2024. Most samples met the U.S. No. 1 and No. 2 grade limits.
  • Heat Damage: The average heat damage was 0.0%, consistent with previous years and below the U.S. No. 1 grade limit.

• Chemical Composition:

  • Protein: Average protein concentration was 8.6% (dry basis), slightly lower than 2023/2024 but the same as the 5YA.
  • Starch: Average starch concentration was 72.1% (dry basis), higher than previous years.
  • Oil: Average oil concentration was 3.9% (dry basis), slightly lower than previous years.

• Physical Factors:

  • Stress Cracks: Average stress cracks were 11.6%, lower than 2023/2024 but similar to the 5YA.
  • Kernel Weight and Volume: The average 100-kernel weight was 36.95 grams, and kernel volume was 0.29 cm³, both higher than the 5YA.
  • True Density: The average true density was 1.293 g/cm³, also higher than the 5YA.
  • Whole Kernels and Endosperm: The average percentage of whole kernels was 89.1%, and the percentage of horneous (hard) endosperm was 87%, both higher than previous years.

• Mycotoxins:

  • All samples were below the FDA action level for aflatoxin (20.0 ppb).
  • Over 96% of samples were below the FDA advisory level for DON and fumonisin.
  • The report also includes results for ochratoxin A, T-2, and zearalenone, which were tested for the first time in 2024/2025.

Key Information

• The report is based on 425 samples collected from export shipments and includes data by Export Catchment Areas (ECAs): Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Southern Rail.
• The U.S. Grains Council acknowledges the contributions of several organizations, including Centrec Consulting Group, the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), and the Illinois Crop Improvement Association's IPG Lab.
• The report uses a consistent methodology to allow for year-to-year comparisons and is part of a series that helps stakeholders understand quality trends.
• The report does not predict the quality of individual cargoes but provides an aggregate view of the corn export quality for the 2024/2025 marketing year.

Structure

• Introduction: Overview of the report and its purpose.
• Quality Test Results: Detailed breakdown of grade factors, chemical composition, physical factors, and mycotoxins.
• Export Catchment Areas: Summary of results by ECA.
• Historical Perspective: Comparison of data with previous years.
• Supporting Information: Additional details on U.S. corn grades and the testing methodology.

This report serves as a valuable tool for trade partners and stakeholders to understand the quality of U.S. corn exports and make informed decisions.