China’s corn imports rise to 434 thsd tons in September

China increased its corn imports to 433.9 thsd tons in September 2026, up 35.5% from August, when purchases totaled 320.2 thsd tons. Year on year, shipments surged nearly 7.7 times from 56.6 thsd tons in September 2025. September marked China’s highest monthly corn import volume since the beginning of 2026.

Argentina remained China’s largest corn supplier for the fourth consecutive month. In September, the country shipped 311.2 thsd tons of corn to the Chinese market, compared with 278.6 thsd tons in August. Argentina accounted for approximately 72% of China’s total corn imports, down from more than 87% a month earlier. Argentine corn shipments to China began only in June 2026, following a complete absence of deliveries throughout 2025.

Brazilian corn also returned to the Chinese market in September. Shipments from Brazil reached 71.4 thsd tons as supplies from the country’s second corn harvest, which took place between May and August, arrived in China. The resumption of Brazilian exports contributed to greater diversification of China’s corn imports and a reduction in Argentina’s market share.

Among China’s other corn suppliers in September was russia, which exported 31.8 thsd tons, down from 38.3 thsd tons in August. Shipments from Myanmar increased more than fivefold, from 3.3 thsd tons to 18.3 thsd tons. Laos resumed corn exports to China, supplying around 1.1 thsd tons after recording no shipments in August.

Overall, China imported 2.11 mln tons of corn in January–September 2026, compared with 933.8 thsd tons during the same period last year. Purchases therefore more than doubled, increasing by approximately 1.18 mln tons. However, despite the recovery in import activity, total shipments remain significantly below China’s historical corn import levels.

Tags: China, corn, imports