Corn is back on the menu for US exporters: Report

US corn exports to China were relatively stronger compared to Brazil's for a period in late March, according to a report by Breakwave Advisors, in a positive sign for US farmers dealing with several financial challenges.

The report by the New York-based commodity trading adviser used data from the Signal Ocean Platform. It showed that "while Brazil was the primary supplier of corn to China in 2025, early Quarter 1 data shows the US has regained market share and moved ahead by late March".

William W. Wilson, a professor of agribusiness and applied economics at North Dakota State University, said US corn exports have been particularly strong in recent weeks.

The reason for this is "pretty robust demand in the international marketplace, No 1, and an increased demand for corn for biofuels internationally," Wilson told China Daily.

The largest importers of US corn are Mexico, Japan, South Korea and Colombia, which together account for two-thirds of US exports, according to figures from the United States Department of Agriculture. US farmers send 40 percent of total corn exports to Mexico and 35 percent of total ethanol exports to Canada.

The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, effective from July 1, 2020, is scheduled for a joint review in July regarding a 16-year extension.

The export of corn and corn products is vital to the nation's economy, according to the National Corn Growers Association, which works to eliminate barriers to trade and support market development.

Corn farming generated over $151 billion in economic output in 2023 and directly and indirectly supported at least 600,000 jobs, the National Corn Growers Association found. At least 33 percent of US corn farmers' export income comes from the crop, the USDA said.

Approximately 3.3 billion bushels (116 million cubic meters) of corn will be exported from the US to a variety of countries during the 2025-26 marketing year — a record high, according to USDA April data.

Bob Nielsen, a Purdue University agronomy professor emeritus, grew up on a Nebraska farm. With over 40 years of experience in corn management, he emphasized the importance of solid international trade agreements for farmers' prosperity.

"The more that we can maintain good trade relations with these countries (China, Mexico), and stabilize the export demand so that it's consistent year-in and year-out, you know, the better off the US farmers would be," Nielsen told China Daily.

US farm groups and producers have urged President Donald Trump to prioritize agricultural trade during his upcoming visit to China.

Nielsen explained that "farmers are really at the mercy of the markets and at the mercy of the demands, whether it's exports or biofuel or cattle feed, animal feed. So that has always been the frustration and the challenge for growers".

As the US market strives to remain highly competitive, analysts warned that several barriers, including tariffs, heighten competition and raise costs.

"We have intense competition, notably from Brazil, Ukraine and Argentina in the case of corn," Wilson said. "For growers, getting our trade policy straightened out so we're not adversely affected is very critical."

belindarobinson@chinadailyusa.com