Corn Exports From US 2026: Top Buyers And Market Trends
Key Takeaways
- Mexico is the largest buyer of corn exports from US by value, taking US$3.37 billion across January to July 2026, which is 28.48% of the US$11.82 billion in tracked US corn export value over the period, powered by yTrade HS 1005 export records. Japan followed at US$1.99 billion and South Korea at US$1.21 billion.
- US corn export value held firm through the first seven months of 2026, with monthly totals ranging from US$1.54 billion in January to US$1.85 billion in March, and June and July both posting double-digit year-on-year growth of 18.72% and 17.95%. The quantity figures tell a parallel story, with roughly 200.5 million tonnes moving over the seven months.
- Mexico also dominated by volume, accounting for 28.73% of tracked quantity, while Canada stood out as a high-volume, lower-value buyer at 20.36% of quantity against just 3.03% of value, a sign of bulk feed-grade purchasing. On the supply side, yTrade's verified records name US exporters and logistics firms such as The Delong Co and Scoular Global Shipping, each carrying a shipment match rate that shows how cleanly their records reconcile.
Corn exports from US figures in this article come from yTrade**, which aggregates 5B+ trade records from customs authorities and government trade agencies across 200+ countries, covering HS 1005 shipment-level destination tables, monthly value trends, and verified supplier records for January to July 2026.
Which Countries Buy The Most Corn Exports From US In 2026?
Mexico is the top destination for corn exports from US at US$3.37 billion between January and July 2026, ahead of Japan at US$1.99 billion and South Korea at US$1.21 billion, based on yTrade HS 1005 export records. The list continues with Columbia, Taiwan, Spain, and other key markets:
- Mexico: US$3.37 billion (28.48%) — the dominant buyer, a neighbouring market whose feed and food industries rely on US corn delivered by rail and across the southern border.
- Japan: US$1.99 billion (16.82%) — a premium, long-term buyer purchasing mainly feed and industrial corn through established trading houses.
- South Korea: US$1.21 billion (10.27%) — a consistent feed-grain importer that sources corn competitively between US and South American origins.
- Colombia: US$1.10 billion (9.29%) — the leading South American destination, drawing steady volumes for its animal-feed sector.
- Taiwan, China: US$578.72 million (4.90%) — a reliable East Asian buyer rounding out the top five by value.
| # | Country of Destination | Value (US$) | Value % | Quantity (tonnes) | Quantity % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | 3,366,327,906 | 28.48% | 57,613,662 | 28.73% |
| 2 | Japan | 1,987,582,375 | 16.82% | 17,981,771 | 8.97% |
| 3 | South Korea | 1,213,361,381 | 10.27% | 12,990,853 | 6.48% |
| 4 | Colombia | 1,097,688,999 | 9.29% | 7,186,176 | 3.58% |
| 5 | Taiwan, China | 578,723,602 | 4.90% | 3,108,718 | 1.55% |
| 6 | Spain | 459,361,799 | 3.89% | 2,360,301 | 1.18% |
| 7 | Venezuela | 374,970,850 | 3.17% | 1,607,841 | 0.80% |
| 8 | Canada | 358,408,024 | 3.03% | 40,815,907 | 20.36% |
| 9 | Vietnam | 242,781,578 | 2.05% | 1,860,510 | 0.93% |
| 10 | Guatemala | 215,122,718 | 1.82% | 2,072,979 | 1.03% |
| 11 | Portugal | 151,212,633 | 1.28% | 784,302 | 0.39% |
Source: yTrade, HS 1005 US corn export records by destination, January–July 2026.
Top #1 Corn Export Destination: Mexico — US$3.4 Billion
Mexico remains the single most important market for corn exports from US, and its purchases kept accelerating through 2026. The partner accounted for roughly two-thirds of a 769,500-tonne US corn sales week in early October 2026, taking 508,800 tonnes in a single reporting period and even booking 22,400 tonnes for 2027/28 delivery. Its feed, starch, and tortilla industries give it structurally heavy demand that few origins other than the US can meet on freight cost alone.
That dependence runs through the land border and rail network, which insulates Mexican buyers from shipping delays that affect Asian routes. Mexico was the top overall US farm-export market in the first half of 2026 at US$15.2 billion, up 4% and running at a record pace, with corn a central part of that flow alongside meat and dairy.
- Mexico took about 66% of a single 769,500-tonne US corn sales week in early October 2026: underlining how one buyer can move the weekly export total on its own.
- Mexico booked 22,400 tonnes of US corn for 2027/28 delivery: a forward commitment that signals confidence in continued reliance on American supply.
- Mexico led all US farm-export markets at US$15.2 billion in H1 2026: growing 4% year on year at what the USDA called a record pace.
Read more:
US Beef Imports by Country: Where Does The US Get Most Of Its Meat?
Top #2 Corn Export Destination: Japan — US$2.0 Billion
Japan is the steadiest premium buyer among the destinations for corn exports from US, sourcing mainly feed and industrial-grade corn through its major trading houses. Japan ranked third behind Mexico and South Korea in US weekly export inspections during September 2026, as reported by AgroLatam, reflecting consistent rather than spiky demand that makes it a dependable anchor for US exporters planning vessel programs.
Japanese demand is relatively price-inelastic because its livestock and food-processing sectors need guaranteed volume regardless of short-term price moves. Average Chicago corn traded near US$5.23 per bushel from September 2026, and US December futures climbed to a three-year high close to US$5.50 on September 2 before easing, a run that tested but did not derail Japanese purchasing commitments.
- Japan ranked third in US corn export inspections in September 2026: behind Mexico and South Korea, a mark of its steady vessel-program demand.
- US corn futures hit a three-year high near US$5.50 per bushel on September 2, 2026: a price level Japanese buyers absorbed through long-term contracts.
- Average Chicago corn held around US$5.23 per bushel from September 2026: keeping US origin competitive for Japan against alternative suppliers.
Top #3 Corn Export Destination: South Korea — US$1.2 Billion
South Korea is a competitive feed-grain importer that routinely weighs US corn against South American and Black Sea origins before booking. South Korea ranked second in US weekly corn export inspections in September 2026, powered by AgroLatam reporting, which placed it ahead of Japan for that period and underlined how actively Korean feed millers buy when US prices turn favourable.
Korean buyers track harvest and supply closely. The USDA's October 2026 crop report put the national corn yield at 181.2 bushels per acre and production at 16.03 billion bushels, the second-largest crop on record, which pulled December futures down 13% from their early-September peak and widened the price window Korean importers use to lock in supply.
- South Korea ranked second in US corn export inspections in September 2026: ahead of Japan, reflecting active feed-miller buying on favourable pricing.
- US corn production grew to 16.03 billion bushels in the October 2026 USDA estimate: the second-largest crop on record at a yield of 181.2 bushels per acre.
- US December corn futures fell 13% from their early-September high: opening a buying window that competitive importers like South Korea use to book forward.
Read more:
How Did Corn Exports From US Perform Month By Month In 2026?
Monthly corn exports from US stayed within a tight band through 2026, from US$1.54 billion in January to a high of US$1.85 billion in March, before June and July rebounded with year-on-year growth of 18.72% and 17.95%, based on yTrade HS 1005 monthly export records. The seven-month total came to US$11.82 billion across roughly 200.5 million tonnes.
The month-by-month breakdown below shows value, year-on-year change, and quantity for each month of the tracked period.
- January 2026: US$1.54 billion (+5.93% YoY) — a solid start to the year on 30.61 million tonnes, the highest monthly volume of the period.
- February 2026: US$1.59 billion (+6.25% YoY) — continued growth as early-year shipping programs ramped up.
- March 2026: US$1.85 billion (+2.31% YoY) — the peak value month, reflecting strong late-winter contracting.
- April 2026: US$1.74 billion (−3.98% YoY) — the only month to post a year-on-year decline during the period.
- June 2026: US$1.80 billion (+18.72% YoY) — the strongest year-on-year gain, as summer demand lifted shipments.
| Time Period | Value (US$) | YoY | Quantity | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.54B | 5.93% | 30.61M | 14.39% |
| February | 1.59B | 6.25% | 41.51M | 61.15% |
| March | 1.85B | 2.31% | 34.5M | 19.13% |
| April | 1.74B | −3.98% | 25.12M | −2.84% |
| May | 1.66B | 0.10% | 22.53M | 8.96% |
| June | 1.8B | 18.72% | 23.2M | 19.96% |
| July | 1.64B | 17.95% | 23.04M | 5.54% |
Source: yTrade, HS 1005 US corn monthly export records, January–July 2026.
Corn exports from US moved against a backdrop of rising farm-export revenue and firm prices through most of 2026. Reported by Capital Press, US corn exports were valued at US$9.9 billion in the first half of 2026, up 3% year on year, as total US farm exports climbed 7% to US$91.8 billion, the highest level since 2022. Corn sat within a broad agricultural upcycle that also lifted soybean demand, rather than an isolated run.
The pricing environment turned volatile in the second half, which matters how United States corn exports are valued. December corn futures reached a three-year high near US$5.50 per bushel on September 2, 2026, before the USDA's October crop report raised production to 16.03 billion bushels and sent December futures down to US$4.80, a 13% drop from the peak. The USDA also increased 2026/27 ethanol use to 5.65 billion bushels and trimmed its season-average farm price forecast to US$4.70, which added downward pressure on export values heading into the new marketing year.
Read more:
Who Are The Top Corn Exporters USA?
The Delong Co., Inc is the #1 corn supplier in the US yTrade lists named, from yTrade's HS 1005 verified supplier records for January to July 2026. The top 5 verified corn exporters in the US also includes:
- The Delong Co., Inc (United States): a Wisconsin-based grain trading and export company handling corn across multiple international markets.
- Scoular Global Shipping SGS (United States): an Illinois-registered arm of a major US agricultural supply-chain company active in grain export logistics.
- Crown Products, Inc (United States): a Louisiana-based exporter positioned near Gulf shipping infrastructure for bulk grain movement.
- Globerunners Inc (United States): a California-based freight and logistics provider managing containerised and bulk agricultural shipments.
| # | Verified Supplier / Buyer | Country of Origin | Shipments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Delong Co., Inc | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data |
| 2 | Scoular Global Shipping SGS | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data |
| 3 | Crown Products, Inc | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data |
| 4 | Globerunners Inc | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data |
| 5 | International Logistics | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data |
| 6 | C & L Global Inc | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data | 🔒 Unlock yTrade Data |
Source: yTrade, HS 1005 verified supplier records, January–July 2026. Shipment counts available on request.
Verify any US corn supplier or buyer against 480M+ customs-matched records on yTrade before you trade.
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Conclusion
US corn exports remained resilient in the first seven months of 2026, with yTrade’s HS 1005 records showing export value of around US$11.82 billion. Mexico was the largest destination at US$3.37 billion, followed by Japan at US$1.99 billion and South Korea at US$1.21 billion.
Looking ahead, a record 16.03 billion bushel crop and rising ending stocks could put downward pressure on prices into 2026/27, while steady demand from ethanol producers and major export markets may continue to support shipment volumes. For buyers, this could create better purchasing opportunities, while exporters still benefit from stable demand.
FAQ
Why does the US export corn?
The US is the world's largest corn producer, accounting for about 31% of global output, and sends nearly 20% of its harvest abroad. Domestic production regularly exceeds what the ethanol, feed, and food sectors consume, so exporting the surplus to buyers like Mexico, Japan, and South Korea supports farm income and balances supply.
Where does the US get most of its corn?
US corn is grown domestically, concentrated in the Midwest Corn Belt across states such as Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. The October 2026 USDA estimate put national production at 16.03 billion bushels, the second-largest crop on record, at a yield of 181.2 bushels per acre, which keeps the US self-sufficient and export-focused.
Is there a shortage of corn in the US?
No. The USDA's October 2026 report put 2026/27 ending stocks at 1.85 billion bushels and moved the stocks-to-use ratio up to 11.3%, which points to comfortable supply. Record-level production and rising ending stocks pushed December futures down 13% from their early-September high, the opposite of a shortage.
yTrade contributor
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