Russian corn exports surge 2.7-fold to over 2.6 million tonnes in H1 2026
Russia exported more than 2.6 million tonnes of corn in the first half of 2026, 2.7 times the year-earlier volume. Export revenue increased 2.4-fold to nearly $580 million, with Iran, Turkey and China among the principal buyers.
First-half shipments exceed the 2025 total
Russia exported more than 2.6 million tonnes of corn during the first half of 2026, 2.7 times as much as in the corresponding period of 2025, according to information provided to Interfax by the federal Agroexport center. Export revenue rose 2.4-fold and reached nearly $580 million.
The six-month volume has already surpassed Russia’s corn exports for the whole of 2025. The comparison indicates a sharp acceleration in shipments, although Agroexport did not provide a detailed monthly breakdown, destination-level volumes or the full-year 2025 total. The fact that physical exports grew faster than revenue also suggests that average proceeds per exported tonne were lower than a year earlier, based on the reported growth rates.
Demand spans the Middle East and Asia
Iran, Turkey, China, the Republic of Korea and Kazakhstan were the main buyers of Russian corn in the first half. Shipments also went to Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkmenistan and other markets, giving exporters a customer base extending across the Middle East, Central Asia and East Asia.
The range of destinations is significant for grain traders because it reduces dependence on any single market. Iran and Turkey provide large nearby outlets, while sales to China and the Republic of Korea connect Russian suppliers with major Asian feed markets. Kazakhstan and other Central Asian buyers offer additional regional demand. Agroexport did not disclose how the 2.6 million tonnes were distributed among these countries.
Albania and Tajikistan return as destinations
Russia resumed corn exports to Albania in 2026 after a break dating from 2023. Deliveries to Tajikistan also restarted after being suspended since 2022. No shipment volumes for either renewed trade route were reported, but their return broadens the geographical reach of Russian corn and gives exporters additional channels beyond the leading destinations.
The export increase follows a larger Russian corn harvest in 2025. According to Rosstat, the country collected 14.8 million tonnes, compared with 13.9 million tonnes in 2024. That additional production expanded the volume potentially available to domestic processors, livestock producers and overseas customers. The source data do not specify how much of the crop was consumed domestically, held in inventories or allocated for export.
Revenue growth trails the rise in volume
For producers and traders, the headline volume points to strong foreign demand and an active export program. However, the difference between the 2.7-fold increase in tonnage and the 2.4-fold increase in revenue is also commercially relevant. It indicates that higher shipment volumes did not translate into an equally rapid rise in dollar receipts.
Future export performance will depend on the availability of corn after domestic demand, as well as prices and purchasing activity across the listed destinations. For now, shipments above the entire 2025 level after only six months place Russia on a substantially faster export trajectory in 2026, supported by a broader destination network and the larger 2025 harvest.
