This episode offers a concise overview of developments in the global maize market as of May 11, 2025, highlighting supply trends, policy shifts, and trade adjustments across key regions.
- Turkey: The government has initiated sales of maize from state reserves and approved 1 million tons of duty-free imports. Analysts anticipate these moves could boost domestic sales to 200,000 tons, easing local prices and reducing demand for higher-cost imports, including Ukrainian corn. These measures align with a broader global price softening amid favorable planting conditions.
- United States: Strong planting progress, supported by optimal weather, has contributed to a 3.5% decline in July corn futures, now priced at $184.60 per ton. December contracts also fell by $7 per ton. The USDA reports that 40% of corn has been sown, slightly ahead of average, with potential acreage expansion expected.
- Brazil: Stonex has revised the country’s second-crop maize forecast upward by 2.7 million tons, bringing it to 104.3 million tons. Overall national output is now projected at 132.4 million tons. However, concerns persist over declining rainfall in Parana, while Mato Grosso expects strong production and growing stocks amid rising domestic demand.
- Pakistan: Domestic maize demand surged due to a revival in poultry production, driven by resumed GMO soybean imports. As a result, corn exports fell 87% year-on-year in Q1 2025. However, export growth remains constrained by ongoing challenges with sanitary compliance in international markets.
- China: The country is set to significantly expand GM maize cultivation, from 1 million to 3.3 million hectares by 2025. This move is intended to reduce import dependency, though public resistance, regulatory oversight, and mixed seed trial results continue to affect farmer adoption rates.
- Malawi: The government is advancing a large-scale irrigation initiative across 50,000 hectares under the Dawadambo scheme to shift from rain-fed to irrigation-based maize farming. The strategy includes public investment in infrastructure, input subsidies, and financing for smallholders, targeting food security and export growth.
