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Corn Exporters: The Largest Corn and Maize Exporting Countries
Corn, also called maize, is the main feed grain of the world. Four exporting countries supply most of it, and the buyers are livestock feed makers and processors.
The largest exporters
According to OEC trade data for 2024, world exports of corn were worth about USD 44.3 billion. The United States supplied 24.0 percent of world trade, Brazil 19.0, Argentina 16.3 and Ukraine 13.1. France (4.2), South Africa (2.1) and Romania (1.9) are smaller suppliers. Because the northern and southern hemispheres harvest at different times, there is a cargo to buy in most months of the year.
The largest buyers
Japan (8.1 percent of world imports), Vietnam (5.7), South Korea (5.6), China (4.9), Spain (4.3), Egypt (4.1) and Mexico (4.1) were the largest importers in 2024. Most of the corn goes to animal feed, and some to starch, sweetener and fuel ethanol plants.
Quality and specification
A corn contract names the grade, the moisture (often a maximum of 14 percent), the share of broken kernels and foreign matter, the test weight and limits for mycotoxins such as aflatoxin. Non-GMO corn is a separate product with its own paperwork. An independent inspection company checks the cargo at loading, and the importing country may also require a phytosanitary certificate.
How corn is shipped
Corn moves in bulk on Handysize, Supramax, Panamax and, from the biggest ports, Capesize ships, with cargoes from 10,000 to more than 60,000 tonnes. Holds must be clean, dry and free of insects. Loading from the river ports of Brazil and Argentina can depend on the water level, so check the draft of the port before you choose the ship. See the Shipfixing guide to chartering ships for grain.
Terms and documents
Grain is traded mostly FOB or CFR; see FOB vs CFR vs CIF. The usual documents are the bill of lading, the inspection and quality certificates, the certificate of origin, the phytosanitary certificate and the invoice; see export and import documents.
Timing and the crop year
The United States harvests in autumn and ships through the winter. The Brazilian second crop is harvested in the middle of the year and ships from about July, and Argentina harvests in autumn of the southern hemisphere. A buyer who needs corn at a given month looks first at the origin that is in season, and then at the price difference to the other origins.
Sourcing corn on Comdity
Browse the offers and requests on the corn page, or post a listing with the origin, the quantity, the specification and the port. Use offer and counteroffer to agree on price and shipment period, and ask for the inspection to be done by an independent company.
The largest exporting and importing countries (2024)
| Top exporting countries | Share of world trade |
|---|---|
| United States | 24% |
| Brazil | 19% |
| Argentina | 16.3% |
| Ukraine | 13.1% |
| France | 4.2% |
| South Africa | 2.1% |
| Romania | 1.9% |
| Burma | 1.8% |
| Top importing countries | Share of world trade |
|---|---|
| Japan | 8.1% |
| Vietnam | 5.7% |
| South Korea | 5.6% |
| China | 4.9% |
| Spain | 4.3% |
| Egypt | 4.1% |
| Mexico | 4.1% |
| Italy | 3.9% |
Source: OEC (BACI/CEPII), 2024, customs codes 1005. The figures count trade by every mode of transport, not only by sea.
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FOB vs CFR vs CIF · Export and import documents · Offer and counteroffer · All guides