Corn harvest delays in Poland support rising purchase prices

Corn purchase prices in Poland are rising due to delays in harvesting the new crop and limited grain supplies on the domestic market. The main reason for the slow progress of harvesting remains high corn moisture levels, which are preventing farmers in some regions from starting full-scale harvesting operations. However, the situation varies considerably by region: harvesting is almost complete in areas where grain has reached acceptable moisture levels, while farmers elsewhere are being forced to postpone fieldwork.

In particular, initial tests in the Kuyavia region showed corn moisture levels exceeding 34%, delaying the start of harvesting. Meanwhile, yields remain relatively high, mostly at 12–13 t/ha, reaching as much as 16.5 t/ha on some farms. Near Kutno, farmers are harvesting corn with moisture levels ranging from 26% to 38%, averaging around 30%, and yields of 12–14 t/ha. Some producers, however, report yields below 10 t/ha, although their grain has lower moisture content.

Purchase prices for wet corn continue to rise amid harvesting delays. Over the past week, the average price increased by PLN 8/t, while the two-week gain reached PLN 12/t, bringing the average to PLN 644/t. Purchase offers range from PLN 580 to 670/t, although the most common prices remain at PLN 650–660/t. Meanwhile, dry corn is trading at an average of PLN 939/t, down PLN 4/t from two weeks earlier. Increasing competition among buyers for available wet corn supplies could support further price growth.

Prices are also rising in Poland’s wheat market, where supplies are tightening amid active exports and a smaller harvest. During the first quarter of the current season, more than 1 mln tons of wheat were exported through Polish ports, almost 500 thsd tons more than a year earlier, although some of these shipments may have consisted of Ukrainian grain in transit. At the same time, Poland’s wheat production declined by 1.3 mln tons, while the overall grain harvest fell by 5%. The average purchase price of milling wheat rose by PLN 11/t over the week to PLN 921/t, while feed wheat gained PLN 13/t to reach PLN 882/t.

Harvesting difficulties in other countries are providing additional support to the European corn market. In particular, harvesting in the United States is also progressing more slowly than usual, while Ukraine faces similar challenges due to high grain moisture levels. Meanwhile, importers are awaiting deliveries of Ukrainian corn under previously concluded contracts, with shipments additionally constrained by difficult logistics conditions resulting from restrictions on Black Sea port operations. Against this backdrop, tighter grain supplies and delays in the arrival of the new crop could continue to support purchase prices in Poland.

Tags: corn, prices, Poland