Ukrainian Exporters Seek New Markets for Over 11 Million Tons of Corn Due to EU Import Reductions

This is reported by AgroReview

In the second half of the current marketing year, Ukrainian exporters will need to actively seek alternative markets for over 11 million tons of corn outside the European Union.

Export Dynamics and Main Buyers

Since the beginning of October, Ukraine has exported 10.7 million tons of corn. This is slightly less than during the same period last season, when the export volume was 11.5 million tons. The main buyers of Ukrainian corn in February remained Turkey (920 thousand tons), Spain (492 thousand tons), Italy (365 thousand tons), the Netherlands (280 thousand tons), and Egypt (236 thousand tons).

The total remaining export potential of Ukraine for the period from March to September is estimated at approximately 15 million tons.

Reduction of EU Imports and New Opportunities for Ukrainian Corn

The European Union has traditionally been a key market for Ukrainian corn; however, in the 2025/26 season, total corn imports to the EU are projected to be 18.8 million tons, nearly 2 million tons less than last year. By the beginning of March, EU countries had already imported 11.8 million tons of corn. This means that by the end of the season, potential demand may amount to about 7 million tons.

Currently, Ukraine accounts for 37% of corn imports to the EU, the USA for 30%, and Brazil for 26%. If market conditions are favorable, the share of Ukrainian corn could rise to 40%. However, even in this case, EU demand by the end of June is unlikely to exceed 3 million tons.

“Under these conditions, Ukrainian exporters will have to seek markets for over 11 million tons of corn outside the EU, which increases the importance of the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and North African markets in the second half of the marketing year against the backdrop of growing geopolitical instability,” brokers noted.

Over the past week, corn prices based on CPT Odessa have decreased from $213 to $210 per ton.