American Corn Displaces Ukrainian Corn from International Markets Due to Low Prices
The purchase prices for Ukrainian corn continue to decline due to weak demand and falling wheat prices, as well as pressure from cheap grain from the United States. Currently, export prices for corn in Ukraine are at $225–228/ton, while feed wheat prices at ports have dropped to $210–214/ton. Despite this, some traders are forced to maintain prices at levels necessary to fulfill contracts by the end of May or early June.
This is reported by AgroReview
Dynamics of the Global Market and Export Competition
Major international traders have effectively halted purchases of Ukrainian corn, awaiting new export agreements. This is hindered by a gradual increase in the supply of American and South American corn at significantly lower prices. Shipments of corn from the U.S. increased by 32.2% during the period from May 8 to May 15, reaching 1.72 million tons, of which 566 thousand tons were directed to Mexico. This occurred due to buyers’ desire to complete deliveries before the end of the 90-day grace period for the introduction of U.S. tariffs on exports.
For the current season, U.S. corn exports have reached 45.543 million tons, which is 29.2% higher than the same period last year. To meet the USDA forecast of 66 million tons by the end of the season, weekly exports must be at least 1.5 million tons, but this is complicated by the expected increase in supplies from Argentina and Brazil starting in July.
Price Trends and Planting Situation
Against the backdrop of high export demand, July corn futures in Chicago rose by 0.9% to $176.2/ton, while December futures increased by 1.4% to $173.9/ton, as American grain remains the cheapest on the global market.
According to the Crop Progress report, as of May 18, 78% of the planned corn acreage in the U.S. has been planted (compared to 67% last year), and seedlings have emerged on 50% of the territory (on average, 40%).
In contrast, Ukraine exported only 1.26 million tons of corn in May 2025 (compared to 2.36 million tons in May of the previous year), totaling 19.8 million tons for the season. This is significantly less than the same period last year, when exports reached 25.26 million tons, but by the end of the marketing year, Ukraine may reach the USDA forecast of 22 million tons.
The planting campaign in Ukraine continues: 3.5 million hectares of corn have already been sown, which is 87% of the planned area (last year it was 3.6 million hectares by the same date). Heavy rainfall and high prices are contributing to an increase in sown areas beyond the planned amount.
It is expected that the increase in sown areas and favorable weather conditions at the beginning of June may lower prices for Ukrainian corn to $215–220/ton delivered to the port, considering the price level of $244–246/ton in international tenders for supplies to Asian countries in July–August.
“Purchase prices for feed wheat at Ukrainian ports have fallen to $210-214/ton, but corn prices remain at $225–228/ton, as some traders need to close deliveries by the end of May or early June.”