What Determines Virginia Grain Basis
Virginia soybean basis can be the tightest east of the Mississippi during strong European soybean demand, tracking Hampton Roads export bids directly.
How to Use Basis in Your Grain Marketing Plan
When Virginia basis strengthens (cash rising relative to futures), local demand is outpacing local supply. This is often the best window for cash sales or HTA contract execution. Basis is compensating you for your geographic location — don't leave it on the table.
When Virginia basis weakens, local supply is exceeding local demand. Consider on-farm storage or a basis contract (locks in basis without pricing futures) if you expect basis to recover as the marketing year progresses and local demand firms up.
Seasonal Basis Patterns in Virginia
Basis in Virginia typically follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Corn and soybean basis is usually weakest at or shortly after harvest (September–November) when local supply peaks. Basis tends to strengthen through winter and spring as local stocks decline and elevator demand builds ahead of the next crop year.
The best cash grain sales for Virginia producers historically occur in one of two windows: (1) pre-harvest new-crop forwards if basis is historically strong, or (2) January–March when bin-run stocks are tight and elevators compete aggressively for remaining inventory.
Elevator Infrastructure in Virginia
Key Virginia elevators: Massena Grain, Virginia Grain Producers, Hampton Roads Terminal.
Get Weekly Basis Alerts for Virginia
GrainBrief monitors USDA AMS elevator bids daily and sends you a basis trend alert when Virginia basis moves more than 10¢ in a week — the threshold that historically signals a marketing opportunity.
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