US becomes EU’s largest corn supplier, overtaking Ukraine

The US has become the EU’s largest corn supplier at the start of the 2026/27 season, overtaking Ukraine. In the first two months of the season, US shipments to the EU reached 1.3 mln tons, more than quadrupling compared with the same period last year.

Ukraine supplied around 1.1 mln tons of corn to the EU during the period. This was 460 thsd tons more than a year earlier, but the much faster growth in US exports pushed Ukraine into second place among suppliers.

Brazil remains the third-largest supplier, exporting around 510 thsd tons of corn to the EU. However, its shipments fell by more than 400 thsd tons compared with last season. Much smaller volumes came from Canada at 80 thsd tons and Argentina at 64 thsd tons.

EU demand for imported corn is rising significantly this season due to unfavorable weather conditions and weaker prospects for the bloc’s own crop. According to USDA, the EU is expected to import 23.5 mln tons of corn in 2026/27, up 5 mln tons, or 27%, from last season.

From the beginning of July through the end of August, EU countries had already imported 3.2 mln tons of corn, 41% more than during the same period last season. Nearly half of the volume went to Spain at 1.56 mln tons. Portugal imported 344 thsd tons, Italy 332 thsd tons, the Netherlands 273 thsd tons and Belgium 178 thsd tons.

The increase in EU import needs is creating additional opportunities for corn exporters, but competition in the European market is also intensifying. The US has sharply increased shipments to take the leading position, while Ukraine has also expanded exports compared with last season despite constraints on Black Sea logistics.

Tags: corn, export, EU, USA, Ukraine