EU feed corn use to decline by 3.5 mln tons in MY 2026/27

Corn use for feed and residual purposes in the European Union is forecast to decline to 51.5 mln tons in the 2026/27 marketing year, down from 55 mln tons a season earlier. Meanwhile, wheat use in this category is expected to increase to 51 mln tons, compared with 50 mln tons in MY 2025/26. S&P Global Energy presented these estimates at Grain Academy 2026 in Sofia.

The shift in the structure of grain consumption is linked to the specific characteristics of feed raw material supply across the European market. Despite ample global corn supply, grain availability in individual EU regions depends on import requirements, purchasing prices and logistical capabilities.

In particular, competitive prices for US corn could support increased use in feed production in Spain. By contrast, demand for non-GM raw materials in some northwestern European countries limits the choice of suppliers and increases the importance of Ukrainian corn.

According to S&P Global Energy, the relative competitiveness of corn and wheat in the European feed market will depend on physical premiums, domestic logistics costs and the availability of grain from sources acceptable to buyers. As a result, changes in consumption patterns may vary across regions.

At the same time, the European market remains sensitive to disruptions in grain supplies from the Black Sea region. Restrictions on Ukrainian exports could intensify competition among importers for alternative sources of corn and affect regional feed grain balances.

Tags: EU, wheat, compound feed, corn