US seaborne grain exports rose 9% year-over-year in the first half of 2025, driven by strong maize shipments, according to BIMCO. This increase came despite a 57% drop in exports to China due to retaliatory tariffs. Exporters shifted cargoes to other Asian, Latin American, and Mediterranean markets, though soya bean and sorghum volumes declined sharply. Shorter sailing distances led to a 7% drop in tonne-mile demand, despite higher overall volumes. Panamax vessels carried nearly half of all U.S. grain shipments, while supramax demand fell 33%. BIMCO expects export volumes to rise post-harvest, led by increased maize production.
