Ukrainian Corn Prices Lag Behind American: Risks for Exports

As of May 5, the volume of Ukrainian corn exports reached 255 thousand tons, and experts predict that May will remain quite active for foreign trade in this crop. At the same time, signs of a potential decline in prices for Ukrainian corn on the global market are already being observed.

This is reported by AgroReview

Competition with American Corn Intensifies

On the international market, Ukrainian corn significantly lags behind the price competition of products from the United States. Last week, Spanish importers were signing contracts for the supply of American corn at a price of $245–247 per ton, while similar Ukrainian products were being offered on the Spanish market at $268–273 per ton. A similar trend is observed regarding exports to Egypt and Turkey, where the price difference favors American corn by $20–25 per ton. This prompts importers to reconsider their purchasing strategies in favor of the U.S.

“Despite the fact that Ukrainian corn is non-GMO, such a premium already seems excessive. This creates the risk of losing traditional markets: Turkey is already signaling a shift to American sources,” analysts comment.

Situation in the Domestic Market and Prospects

The domestic corn market in Ukraine currently remains relatively stable. Last week, conditional prices were at the level of $240–243 per ton, while at domestic terminals, the price of grain held steady at 11,400–11,500 UAH per ton. However, starting in June, experts predict a potential significant drop in prices without a quick recovery, which they attribute to an overheated market.

Despite the challenges of external competition and price risks, corn remains one of the most profitable crops for Ukrainian farmers. Currently, nearly 2 million hectares of this grain have already been sown in the country, indicating its significant importance for Ukraine’s agriculture.