US overtakes Ukraine as EU’s top corn supplier early in 2026/27
US corn shipments to the European Union reached about 1.3 million tonnes in the first two months of 2026/27, moving ahead of Ukraine’s 1.1 million tonnes. EU imports are rising as unfavorable weather weakens the outlook for domestic production, with Spain accounting for nearly half of early-season purchases.
US shipments rise more than fourfold
The United States became the European Union’s largest corn supplier in the first two months of the 2026/27 agricultural season, overtaking Ukraine after a sharp acceleration in shipments. US exports to the bloc reached approximately 1.3 million tonnes, according to Stiripesurse.ro, more than four times the volume recorded during the same period of the previous season.
Ukraine supplied about 1.1 million tonnes over the same interval. Its shipments were approximately 460,000 tonnes higher than a year earlier, but that expansion was not enough to match the faster increase from the United States. The figures show that Ukraine is still growing its presence in the EU market even as logistical difficulties and restrictions continue to affect Black Sea trade routes.
The early-season lead is relatively narrow at about 200,000 tonnes, meaning the supplier ranking could still change as the season develops. Nevertheless, the US increase has introduced stronger competition into a market where Ukraine has been an important nearby source for European feed users, traders and processors.
Brazil loses ground as secondary suppliers remain small
Brazil ranked third, shipping approximately 510,000 tonnes of corn to the EU from the start of the season. That volume was more than 400,000 tonnes below the comparable level in the previous season. The decline contrasts with the expansion recorded by both the United States and Ukraine and reduced Brazil’s early share of the European market.
Canada and Argentina remained much smaller suppliers. Agrobiznes.ro reported deliveries of approximately 80,000 tonnes from Canada and 64,000 tonnes from Argentina. Together, those flows were only a fraction of the volumes supplied by each of the three leading origins.
The changing ranking matters because the EU’s import requirement is expanding rather than simply shifting between suppliers. Unfavorable weather and weaker prospects for domestic corn production are increasing the bloc’s dependence on external supplies. This gives exporters access to a growing market, while forcing them to compete more directly on price, availability and logistics.
EU import demand rises 41%
EU member states imported approximately 3.2 million tonnes of corn between the beginning of July and the end of August, Stiripesurse.ro reported. That was 41% more than in the same period of the previous season. Spain was the largest buyer, taking about 1.56 million tonnes, or nearly half of the EU total during the period.
USDA estimates cited by the publication indicate that EU corn imports could reach approximately 23.5 million tonnes in 2026/27. That would represent an increase of 5 million tonnes, or 27%, from the previous season. If that forecast is realized, the early competition among the United States, Ukraine and Brazil will extend across a substantially larger import program.
For European buyers, a broader supplier base can provide more options when domestic output is weak. For exporters, Spain’s concentration of purchases makes the country particularly important in the opening phase of the season. Ukraine has increased volumes despite its logistical constraints, while Brazil’s decline leaves room for competitors. The United States has captured the largest immediate gain, but maintaining first place will depend on whether its early shipment pace continues through the rest of 2026/27.
