7 Top Corn Exporters in the World and Why They Matter
Corn, also known as maize, is one of the most widely consumed cereals in the world. It is used for human food, animal feed, biofuel, and industrial products. According to the World’s Top Exports website, the global value of corn exports reached $62.5 billion in 2022, an increase of 84.7% since 2018.
But which countries are the main exporters of corn? And why are they important for the global corn market? In this article, we will answer these questions by looking at the top seven corn exporters in the world, based on their shipment weight in 2022.
United States: 58.6 million tons (28.8% of global corn exports)
The United States is the largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, accounting for almost a third of the global market share. The US has a competitive advantage in corn production due to its large and fertile land area, advanced agricultural technology, and efficient transportation infrastructure. The US mainly exports corn to Mexico, Japan, Colombia, South Korea, and China.
The US corn exports are influenced by several factors, such as domestic demand, weather conditions, trade policies, and ethanol production. For example, in 2021, the US corn exports surged to a record high of 72.9 million tons, driven by strong demand from China and low global inventories. However, in 2022, the US corn exports declined by 19.7% due to lower production caused by droughts and higher domestic consumption for ethanol and animal feed.
Brazil: 43.4 million tons (21.4% of global corn exports)
Brazil is the second-largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, accounting for more than a fifth of the global market share. Brazil has a favorable climate and soil for corn cultivation, as well as a large domestic demand for animal feed and biofuel. Brazil mainly exports corn to Iran, Japan, Vietnam, Egypt, and Taiwan.
Brazil’s corn exports are affected by several factors, such as currency exchange rates, crop seasons, transportation costs, and environmental issues. For example, in 2020, Brazil’s corn exports dropped by 14.9% due to a strong Brazilian real that made its corn less competitive in the international market. However, in 2022, Brazil’s corn exports increased by 192.8% due to a weak currency, a bumper harvest from the second crop season (safrinha), and lower transportation costs.
Argentina: 33 million tons (16.3% of global corn exports)
Argentina is the third-largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, accounting for more than a sixth of the global market share. Argentina has a temperate climate and fertile soils for corn production, as well as a well-developed agro-industrial sector that processes corn into various products. Argentina mainly exports corn to Algeria, Vietnam, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco.
Argentina’s corn exports are influenced by several factors, such as government policies, weather conditions, domestic consumption, and export taxes. For example, in 2019, Argentina’s corn exports increased by 31.4% due to favorable weather conditions and high domestic production. However, in 2022, Argentina’s corn exports
decreased by 5.1% due to government restrictions on export registrations and higher export taxes.
Ukraine: 25.2 million tons (12.4% of global corn exports)
Ukraine is the fourth-largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, accounting for more than a tenth of the global market share. Ukraine has a continental climate and rich black soils for corn cultivation, as well as a strategic location that allows easy access to European and Asian markets. Ukraine mainly exports corn to China, Egypt, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy.
Ukraine’s corn exports are affected by several factors, such as political stability, economic conditions, logistical challenges, and crop quality. For example, in 2020, Ukraine’s corn exports decreased by 18% due to lower production caused by droughts and pests, as well as higher domestic consumption for biofuel. However, in 2022, Ukraine’s corn exports increased by 2% due to higher production and strong demand from China.
France: 5.1 million tons (2.5% of global corn exports)
France is the fifth-largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, accounting for more than two percent of the global market share. France has a maritime climate and diverse soils for corn production, as well as a high quality standard and a strong reputation for its corn products. France mainly exports corn to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
France’s corn exports are influenced by several factors, such as domestic demand, weather conditions, competition from other exporters, and environmental regulations. For example, in 2020, France’s corn exports increased by 8.5% due to higher production and lower domestic consumption for animal feed. However, in 2022, France’s corn exports increased by 3.8% due to higher production and lower competition from Ukraine and Romania.
Romania: 5.5 million tons (2.7% of global corn exports)
Romania is the sixth-largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, accounting for more than two percent of the global market share. Romania has a continental climate and fertile soils for corn production, as well as a low-cost advantage and a proximity to European markets. Romania mainly exports corn to Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and Bulgaria.
Romania’s corn exports are affected by several factors, such as weather conditions, domestic consumption, government policies, and export quality. For example, in 2019, Romania’s corn exports increased by 28.6% due to higher production and lower domestic consumption for biofuel. However, in 2022, Romania’s corn exports decreased by 6.8% due to lower production caused by droughts and frosts.
Poland: 3.9 million tons (1.9% of global corn exports)
Poland is the seventh-largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, accounting for almost two percent of the global market share. Poland has a temperate climate and varied soils for corn production, as well as a diversified agricultural sector that uses corn for various purposes. Poland mainly exports corn to Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and France.
Poland’s corn exports are influenced by several factors, such as domestic demand, weather conditions, crop rotation, and trade agreements. For example, in 2020, Poland’s corn exports decreased by 9.4% due to lower production and higher domestic consumption for animal feed and biofuel. However, in 2022, Poland’s corn exports increased by 105.1% due to higher production and lower competition from other European exporters.
Why These Countries Matter for the Global Corn Market
The top seven corn exporters in the world play a crucial role in the global corn market, as they supply more than 90% of the total corn trade volume. These countries have different comparative advantages, challenges, and opportunities in corn production and exportation, which affect their competitiveness and performance in the international market.
The global corn market is also influenced by various factors, such as supply and demand dynamics, price fluctuations, trade policies, weather events, and environmental issues. These factors can create opportunities or challenges for the top corn exporters, as well as for other countries that import or produce corn.
Therefore, it is important to monitor the trends and developments in the global corn market, as they can have significant implications for food security, economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability.
Top Corn Exporters and Global Demand Trends
Corn is one of the most widely consumed grains in the world, used for human food, animal feed, biofuel and industrial products. The global trade of corn is influenced by factors such as production, consumption, prices, weather, policies and demand from different sectors. In this blog post, we will look at the top corn exporters in 2022 and how the global demand for corn has changed over time.
United States: The Leading Corn Exporter
The United States is the largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, accounting for about 30.5% of the global corn exports in 2022, according to World’s Top Exports . The US exported $19 billion worth of corn in 2022, up by 0.01% from 2021. The main destinations for US corn exports are Mexico, Japan, Colombia, South Korea and China.
The US corn production is driven by high yields, large planted area and favorable weather conditions. The US also has a well-developed infrastructure and transportation system that facilitates the export of corn to various markets. The US corn exports are supported by strong demand from the livestock sector, especially in Mexico and China, as well as the ethanol industry, which consumes about 40% of the US corn crop.
Brazil: The Second Largest Corn Exporter
Brazil is the second largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, accounting for about 19.6% of the global corn exports in 2022, according to World’s Top Exports . Brazil exported $12.3 billion worth of corn in 2022, up by 237.2% from 2021. The main destinations for Brazil’s corn exports are Iran, Japan, Vietnam, Egypt and Taiwan.
Brazil’s corn production is mainly concentrated in the south and central-west regions of the country, where it is grown as a second crop after soybeans. Brazil’s corn exports are driven by high domestic prices, favorable exchange rates and strong demand from Asia and Africa. Brazil’s corn exports are also influenced by the availability of storage capacity and transportation infrastructure, which can affect the timing and volume of shipments.
Argentina: The Third Largest Corn Exporter
Argentina is the third largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, accounting for about 13.8% of the global corn exports in 2022, according to World’s Top Exports . Argentina exported $8.6 billion worth of corn in 2022, down by 5.2% from 2021. The main destinations for Argentina’s corn exports are Algeria, Vietnam, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Morocco.
Argentina’s corn production is mainly located in the central and northern regions of the country, where it benefits from fertile soils and adequate rainfall. Argentina’s corn exports are affected by domestic policies, such as export taxes and quotas, which aim to ensure food security and price stability for local consumers. Argentina’s corn exports are also dependent on the demand from the livestock sector, especially in North Africa and the Middle East.
Global Demand for Corn: Increasing or Decreasing?
The global demand for corn has been increasing over time, driven by population growth, income growth, urbanization and dietary changes. According to Statista , the global consumption of corn was estimated at 1.18 billion metric tons in 2022/23, up from 1.14 billion metric tons in 2021/22. The main consumers of corn are China, the European Union, the United States, Brazil and India.
The global demand for corn is mainly driven by the animal feed sector, which accounts for about 60% of the total consumption. Corn is an important ingredient in poultry, pork and beef production, as well as aquaculture and pet food. The global demand for animal protein is expected to increase as more people adopt higher-meat diets.
The global demand for corn is also driven by the biofuel sector, which accounts for about 15% of the total consumption. Corn is used to produce ethanol, a renewable fuel that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security. The global demand for ethanol is influenced by policies that mandate its use or blending with gasoline, such as in the United States and Brazil.
The global demand for corn is also driven by the food sector, which accounts for about 10% of the total consumption. Corn is used to produce various food products, such as starches, sweeteners, oils, flours and snacks. The global demand for food products is affected by consumer preferences, health awareness and cultural factors.
Corn is a versatile and valuable crop that plays a significant role in the global economy and food security. The top corn exporters in 2022 were the United States, Brazil and Argentina, which together accounted for about 64% of the global corn exports. The global demand for corn has been increasing over time, driven by the animal feed, biofuel and food sectors. The future trends of the global corn market will depend on the supply and demand dynamics, as well as the environmental and social impacts of corn production and consumption.
References:
http://faostat.fao.org/Portals/_Faostat/documents/pdf/FAOSTAT-Forestry-def-e.pdf
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/FO/visualize
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize
https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/visualize/tree_map/hs92/export/show/all/1005/2016/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/254300/top-global-corn-consumers/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/254299/top-global-corn-exporters/
https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/corn
https://beef2live.com/story-ranking-countries-export-corn-88-206186
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