This episode examines recent shifts in the global maize market.
- Turkey significantly increased its maize imports from Ukraine in 2025, up 2.4 times from the previous year to $760.6 million. Soybean imports also nearly doubled, while sunflower oil imports declined by 18%. These three commodities made up approximately 90% of Ukraine’s agricultural exports to Turkey. In Ukraine, unseasonal weather delayed the maize harvest, elevating local prices and shifting farmer focus to sunflower and soybean harvesting ahead of forecasted rains.
- Export prices for Ukrainian maize have risen amid delivery uncertainties and intensified competition, particularly with Russia regaining some market share in Turkey. Maize continues to be a crucial export for Ukraine despite these pressures.
- Mexico plays a vital role in the U.S. corn export market, absorbing about half of U.S. shipments, mainly for livestock feed. This demand has remained strong even as other U.S. agricultural exports, such as beef and soybeans, face broader market challenges. The growing emphasis on maize as a feed and biofuel source reflects global trends.
- In Brazil, the state of Parana reported a remarkable 160% increase in maize exports for the first eight months of 2025, totaling 1.97 million tons. These gains contrast with the national picture, where Brazil saw a 12% decline in total maize exports during the same period. Export earnings from Parana have bolstered the state’s economy, illustrating regional variability within national trends.
- Meanwhile, the U.S. recorded a 6% year-over-year drop in maize use for ethanol in July, even as total corn consumption for alcohol and other uses edged upward. This reduction signals a tightening demand in the biofuel sector, which could influence future pricing and planting decisions.
