Based on U.S. export inspection data, the United States exported roughly 145 million tonnes of grain and oilseeds in calendar year 2021. In 2021, some 42% of October-December soybean shipments to China left from the U.S. Gulf versus 52% from Pacific ports, though the Gulf share was 58% in 2020. Through 29 days of September, soybean sales to all destinations of 3.1 million tonnes were an 11-year low for the month. About two-thirds of all U.S. grain shipments to Mexico are shipped via interior methods such as rail, but the other third relies on the Gulf. Interior exports accounted for 14% of all U.S. grain and oilseeds last year, third behind the Gulf and Pacific regions.

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