Argentina’s grain exports surge amid record harvest and global volatility

Argentina is shipping grains at a strong pace this season, driven by a record harvest and high global demand. According to the Rosario Board of Trade, record sunflower exports and active corn sales are helping to move one of the country’s largest harvests in years.

The country has benefited from exceptional wheat and corn production, as well as its best sunflower crop of the century. Exports are providing a critical outlet for abundant supplies, supporting domestic market stability.

At the same time, global markets remain volatile. War-related disruptions in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, are complicating logistics and driving up freight costs. Heavy speculative trading on futures markets is also amplifying price swings.

Sunflower has emerged as a key success story of the 2025/26 season, with sunflower oil exports showing their strongest start since 2005 and raw seed shipments reaching unprecedented levels in the first quarter. Corn is also performing strongly, with early-season exports expected to exceed 4 million metric tons in the first month of the new season.

Despite Argentina’s competitive corn prices, which support robust sales, market dynamics may shift later in the year as Brazil’s second-season corn enters global markets. Geopolitical tensions continue to pose risks, potentially affecting both logistics and international prices.