Exports of corn worldwide 2023/24, by country

The global corn export market was dominated by a handful of countries, with the United States in the lead. In the 2023/24 marketing year, the U.S. was expected to export about 59 million metric tons of corn, accounting for about a quarter of total corn exports worldwide. Other major producers include Brazil, Argentina, and Ukraine 

Global supply and demand

Beyond its role as a global food source, corn serves as a versatile raw material for diverse industries. Its applications range from animal feed and ethanol production to the manufacturing of sweeteners, starches, cereals, beverages, and seeds. Worldwide corn production in 2022/23 reached over 1.15 billion metric tons and was forecasted to slightly increase in 2023/24. This massive production is met with equally substantial demand, as global corn consumption is forecasted to reach nearly 50 billion bushels in 2023/24.

U.S. dominance

The United States produced nearly a third of the world's corn in 2023/24. The Corn Belt, a region in the U.S. Midwest, is the primary source of this production. Corn has been the dominant crop in this area since the 1850. The United States is expected to be the world's largest corn producer in 2023/2024, producing just under 390 million metric tons. While China and Brazil are the second and third largest producers, respectively