USDA AMS Market News

Basis and export competitiveness

Basis and cash prices across three US physical markets — the Gulf of Mexico (export), Kansas City (HRW wheat) and Illinois (corn belt) — to gauge US export competitiveness independently of futures.

Gulf vs. inland

Wheat cash price in $/t, from the export point to inland origination points — three markets, one single source, directly comparable.

Gulf of Mexico276 $/t
Kansas City336 $/t
Illinois (Chicago)267 $/t

Rouen FOB isn't shown here: its dollar leg hasn't been updated since 04/08/2026 — a frozen value has no place on a same-day price scale. The comparison kept stays entirely within the same source (USDA AMS), from Gulf export to inland — comparable by construction.

Today's basis, by market

Gap between the cash price and the reference futures contract, in $/t. The seasonal percentile — same calendar month, last five occurrences — is the number that carries meaning: a weak basis at harvest isn't the same thing as a weak basis in mid-winter.

Gulf of Mexico · Wheat

+10.1 $/t

Percentile (full history)

7e

Seasonal percentile

2e

As of 11/09/2026

Gulf of Mexico · Corn

+24.8 $/t

Percentile (full history)

17e

Seasonal percentile

3e

As of 11/09/2026

Gulf of Mexico · Soybeans

+37.1 $/t

Percentile (full history)

83e

Seasonal percentile

73e

As of 11/09/2026

Kansas City · Wheat

+35.6 $/t

Percentile (full history)

29e

Seasonal percentile

71e

As of 10/09/2026

Illinois (Chicago) · Wheat

-5.5 $/t

Percentile (full history)

40e

Seasonal percentile

87e

As of 10/09/2026

Illinois (Chicago) · Corn

+3.3 $/t

Percentile (full history)

54e

Seasonal percentile

49e

As of 10/09/2026

Illinois (Chicago) · Soybeans

+0.9 $/t

Percentile (full history)

57e

Seasonal percentile

71e

As of 10/09/2026

Basis time series

Real basis, $/t, one line per commodity and per market.

Gulf of Mexico

Kansas City

Illinois (Chicago)

Three readings, one direction

On wheat: managed money is positioned at the 95th percentile of its long-run history (COT CFTC, WHEAT-HRW); this week's FGIS exports are down -20.1% year over year; the Gulf basis sits at the 7th percentile of its own history. Three independent sources, one reading — not a price forecast, a snapshot.

A convergence between speculative positioning, export pace and physical basis describes a situation — it does not predict any future price level.

Today's detail

One row per quote. The bushel stays shown next to the tonne — the source quotes in bushels, the $/t conversion happens at display time.

MarketCommodityLocationReference contractBasisPrice ($/t)Price ($/Bu)Day change
Gulf of MexicoSoybeansGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsNovember (X)102.5¢/Bu517.7 $/t14.0900 $/Bu+0.2575
Gulf of MexicoSoybeansGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsNovember (X)108.0¢/Bu519.7 $/t14.1450 $/Bu+0.2575
Gulf of MexicoSoybeansGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsNovember (X)118.0¢/Bu523.4 $/t14.2450 $/Bu+0.2575
Gulf of MexicoSoybeansGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsJanuary (F)106.0¢/Bu524.7 $/t14.2800 $/Bu+0.2525
Gulf of MexicoSoybeansGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsJanuary (F)107.0¢/Bu525.1 $/t14.2900 $/Bu+0.2525
Gulf of MexicoSoybeansGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsNovember (X)101.0¢/Bu517.2 $/t14.0750 $/Bu+0.2575
Gulf of MexicoCorn YellowGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)66.0¢/Bu233.4 $/t5.9275 $/Bu+0.0700
Gulf of MexicoCorn YellowGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)85.0¢/Bu240.8 $/t6.1175 $/Bu+0.0700
Gulf of MexicoCorn YellowGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)89.5¢/Bu242.6 $/t6.1625 $/Bu+0.0700
Gulf of MexicoCorn YellowGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)90.0¢/Bu242.8 $/t6.1675 $/Bu+0.0700
Gulf of MexicoCorn YellowGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)94.5¢/Bu244.6 $/t6.2125 $/Bu+0.0700
Gulf of MexicoCorn YellowGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsMarch (H)85.5¢/Bu246.9 $/t6.2725 $/Bu+0.0750
Gulf of MexicoCorn YellowGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)63.0¢/Bu232.2 $/t5.8975 $/Bu+0.0700
Gulf of MexicoWheat Soft Red Winter OrdinaryGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)30.0¢/Bu276.5 $/t7.5250 $/Bu+0.1875
Gulf of MexicoWheat Soft Red Winter OrdinaryGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)70.0¢/Bu291.2 $/t7.9250 $/Bu+0.1875
Gulf of MexicoWheat Soft Red Winter OrdinaryGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)77.5¢/Bu293.9 $/t8.0000 $/Bu+0.1875
Gulf of MexicoWheat Soft Red Winter OrdinaryGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)82.5¢/Bu295.8 $/t8.0500 $/Bu+0.1875
Gulf of MexicoWheat Soft Red Winter OrdinaryGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)85.0¢/Bu296.7 $/t8.0750 $/Bu+0.1875
Gulf of MexicoWheat Soft Red Winter OrdinaryGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsMarch (H)82.5¢/Bu301.5 $/t8.2050 $/Bu+0.1825
Gulf of MexicoWheat Soft Red Winter OrdinaryGulf Coast Ports - LA — Export ElevatorsDecember (Z)27.5¢/Bu275.6 $/t7.5000 $/Bu+0.1875
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 11.8%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)105.0¢/Bu339.4 $/t9.2375 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 11.2%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)100.0¢/Bu337.6 $/t9.1875 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 11.0%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)97.0¢/Bu336.5 $/t9.1575 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 12.2%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)100.0¢/Bu337.6 $/t9.1875 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 12.4%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)100.0¢/Bu337.6 $/t9.1875 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 13.2%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)95.0¢/Bu335.7 $/t9.1375 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 13.0%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)95.0¢/Bu335.7 $/t9.1375 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 11.6%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)105.0¢/Bu339.4 $/t9.2375 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 12.8%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)105.0¢/Bu339.4 $/t9.2375 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 11.4%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)105.0¢/Bu339.4 $/t9.2375 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 13.8%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)103.0¢/Bu338.7 $/t9.2175 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 13.4%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)100.0¢/Bu337.6 $/t9.1875 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 14.0%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)103.0¢/Bu338.7 $/t9.2175 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 12.0%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)105.0¢/Bu339.4 $/t9.2375 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 12.6%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)105.0¢/Bu339.4 $/t9.2375 $/Bu+0.0750
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter 13.6%Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)102.0¢/Bu338.3 $/t9.2075 $/Bu+0.1250
Kansas CityWheat Hard Red Winter OrdinaryMills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)87.0¢/Bu332.8 $/t9.0575 $/Bu+0.1250
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansLittle Egypt — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-26.5¢/Bu477.0 $/t12.9825 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansNorth — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-55.5¢/Bu470.2 $/t12.7958 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansNorth Central — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-32.5¢/Bu477.7 $/t13.0011 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansMississippi River — Barge Loading ElevatorsNovember (X)-1.0¢/Bu489.2 $/t13.3125 $/Bu+0.2175
Illinois (Chicago)Wheat Soft Red Winter OrdinaryWabash — Country ElevatorsSeptember (U)-62.5¢/Bu242.8 $/t6.6075 $/Bu+0.1200
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansNorth Illinois River — Barge Loading ElevatorsNovember (X)-25.0¢/Bu478.4 $/t13.0208 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansSouthwest — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-45.5¢/Bu474.5 $/t12.9125 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansMississippi River — Barge Loading ElevatorsNovember (X)-1.0¢/Bu489.2 $/t13.3125 $/Bu+0.2575
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowMississippi River — Barge Loading ElevatorsDecember (Z)-18.0¢/Bu203.0 $/t5.1575 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansSouth Central — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-37.5¢/Bu476.7 $/t12.9745 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansChicago — Terminal ElevatorsNovember (X)-5.0¢/Bu487.7 $/t13.2725 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansNorth Illinois River — Barge Loading ElevatorsNovember (X)-14.0¢/Bu481.5 $/t13.1042 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowNorth Central — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-35.0¢/Bu196.5 $/t4.9904 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansLittle Egypt — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-31.5¢/Bu475.6 $/t12.9450 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)Wheat Soft Red Winter OrdinarySouthwest — Country ElevatorsJuly (N)-55.0¢/Bu258.0 $/t7.0225 $/Bu+0.1100
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansSouth Illinois River — Barge Loading ElevatorsNovember (X)-13.5¢/Bu483.5 $/t13.1600 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowSouth Central — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-35.0¢/Bu197.7 $/t5.0214 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansSouthwest — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-42.0¢/Bu475.0 $/t12.9282 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)Wheat Soft Red Winter OrdinaryChicago — Terminals/Mills/ProcessorsDecember (Z)-15.0¢/Bu266.9 $/t7.2625 $/Bu+0.1250
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansSouth Illinois River — Barge Loading ElevatorsNovember (X)-25.5¢/Bu480.1 $/t13.0650 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowWabash — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-35.0¢/Bu196.3 $/t4.9875 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansNorth — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-56.0¢/Bu470.1 $/t12.7942 $/Bu+0.2175
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowSouth Illinois River — Barge Loading ElevatorsDecember (Z)-32.5¢/Bu196.9 $/t5.0025 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansSouth Central — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-25.5¢/Bu477.8 $/t13.0045 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansWabash — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-35.0¢/Bu476.7 $/t12.9725 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansNorth Central — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-32.5¢/Bu478.5 $/t13.0225 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansWabash — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-35.0¢/Bu476.7 $/t12.9725 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansWest — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-49.5¢/Bu470.7 $/t12.8096 $/Bu+0.2175
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansWest — Country ElevatorsNovember (X)-52.0¢/Bu470.2 $/t12.7968 $/Bu+0.2175
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansCentral — Mills and ProcessorsNovember (X)10.0¢/Bu491.5 $/t13.3765 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowNorth Central — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-36.0¢/Bu195.7 $/t4.9718 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Wheat Soft Red Winter OrdinarySouth Illinois River — Barge Loading ElevatorsJuly (N)-45.0¢/Bu261.7 $/t7.1225 $/Bu+0.1100
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowMississippi River — Barge Loading ElevatorsDecember (Z)-29.0¢/Bu198.7 $/t5.0475 $/Bu+0.0500
Illinois (Chicago)SoybeansChicago — Terminal ElevatorsNovember (X)2.5¢/Bu490.4 $/t13.3475 $/Bu+0.2275
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowSouth Central — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-34.5¢/Bu197.7 $/t5.0215 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowNorth Illinois River — Barge Loading ElevatorsDecember (Z)-19.0¢/Bu199.7 $/t5.0725 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowNorth Illinois River — Barge Loading ElevatorsDecember (Z) / September (U)-22.5¢/Bu197.5 $/t5.0163 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowLittle Egypt — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-47.0¢/Bu189.2 $/t4.8050 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowWabash — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-32.5¢/Bu197.0 $/t5.0042 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowSouth Illinois River — Barge Loading ElevatorsDecember (Z)-33.5¢/Bu196.7 $/t4.9975 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowChicago — Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)8.5¢/Bu213.5 $/t5.4225 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowNorth — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-35.5¢/Bu196.0 $/t4.9789 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowCentral — Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)-20.0¢/Bu203.6 $/t5.1725 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowLittle Egypt — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-54.5¢/Bu187.4 $/t4.7608 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowSouthwest — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-45.0¢/Bu191.1 $/t4.8550 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowNorth — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-44.5¢/Bu192.1 $/t4.8807 $/Bu+0.0900
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowWest — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-46.5¢/Bu191.9 $/t4.8746 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowSouthwest — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-49.5¢/Bu190.3 $/t4.8338 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowChicago — Mills and ProcessorsDecember (Z)8.5¢/Bu213.5 $/t5.4225 $/Bu+0.0600
Illinois (Chicago)Corn YellowWest — Country ElevatorsDecember (Z)-45.0¢/Bu193.9 $/t4.9246 $/Bu+0.1100

Method and limits

Published one business day out of one, USDA AMS Market News (MARS API). Each market keeps its own calendar — a day published on one can be missing from another the same day.

Basis is the gap between the cash price observed on this market and the reference futures contract shown ("reference contract" in the detail table). It measures a local premium or discount, not a price on its own.

A negative basis does not mean a low price: it means this origination point costs less than the reference contract, which is normal for a location far from an export port (freight to net back). Comparing basis values to each other is meaningful; comparing a negative basis to zero as if it were a price is not.

Measured gaps

Kansas City only publishes wheat (HRW) in this report — the absence of corn and soybeans on this market isn't a collection gap, the source simply doesn't cover them.

Sorghum only appears at the Gulf (Texas), and only from August 17, 2020 to September 14, 2021: the source has stopped publishing it since, this isn't an intermittent gap.

Source: USDA AMS Market News (marsapi.ams.usda.gov), reports 3147 (Gulf), 3223 (Kansas City), 3192 (Illinois).

Euronext wheat/corn/rapeseed quotes remain suspended on GrainDecision. This page doesn't depend on those series: it reads physical bids published by the USDA (USDA AMS Market News), directly in dollars, with no conversion from a European futures quote.