Transportation Costs Weigh on U.S. Grain Exports to Japan

U.S. grain exports to Japan have been impacted by higher transportation costs, which increased 33% from last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that Gulf-route transportation costs jumped significantly, affecting the cost of delivering U.S. corn and soybeans to Japan.

The total landed cost for corn shipped through the Gulf reached approximately $7.48 per bushel, while soybean landed costs reached about $14.61 per bushel. This increase in transportation expenses added pressure to export competitiveness, even as farm-level commodity values remained mixed.

USDA expects a 4% decline in total U.S. corn exports for the 2026/27 season, while soybean exports are projected to increase by 9%. Maintaining overseas demand will depend increasingly on transportation efficiency.