US is largest supplier of grain corn to the EU

Brazil was the largest supplier at the start of this season, peaking at over 500.000 tons in the third week of September 2025. European importers then switched from importing corn from the US. From November onwards, corn from Ukraine was also imported.

Corn from Ukraine is becoming increasingly scarce for European compound feed companies. Consequently, they are more dependent on other suppliers. During the same period last season, Ukraine supplied approximately 6,5 million tons of corn; this year, that supply has stalled at 2,5 million tons.

The US has now delivered more than 3 million tons of corn to EU member states this season. This amount is 1,3 million tons higher than a year ago. Brazil lags behind with a total delivery of 1,9 million tons. This is also 1,3 million tons more than last year. Both countries are thus filling the gap left by Ukraine this year.

Spain, with 2 million tons, is the largest EU buyer of US corn, followed by Portugal with 700.000 tons. Ireland imported 215.000 tons of corn from the US. Spain is also Brazil's most important EU customer, buying 1,5 million tons. The Netherlands and Italy also purchased a large amount of Brazilian corn, with 672.000 tons and 473.000 tons, respectively.

Italy is Ukraine's largest buyer so far in the EU, with 1,1 million tons. Furthermore, imports from Ukraine are more widespread. Spain and the Netherlands each imported approximately 390.000 tons of Ukrainian maize. Large quantities were also supplied to Greece and Slovenia. These countries' imports from Ukraine amount to approximately 250.000 to 275.000 tons.

For EU countries, the reduced supply of maize from Ukraine is making it more difficult to secure the required quantities this season. This is reflected in the cumulative figures. Up to and including the end of last week, a total of just under 9,2 million tons of maize entered the EU. This quantity is 2,2 million fewer than in the same period last year.