Ukrainian Corn Is Losing Markets as Argentina Actively Takes Its Place

Gustavo Idigoras, head of Argentina’s grain exporters and processors chamber CIARA-CEC, told Reuters.

He noted that Argentina — the world’s third-largest corn exporter — is completing the 2025/26 harvest, which is expected to reach 71.7 million tonnes, almost 20% above the previous record.

«Argentine corn is currently very competitive both in terms of price and volumes,» Gustavo Idigoras said, noting that usual export volumes in August–September amount to around 3 million tonnes.

The expert explained that the main driver of growth was demand from North African countries, which traditionally purchased grain from Ukraine. Representatives of North African countries are now actively establishing trade links with Argentine exporters.

Statistics show that corn shipments to North Africa have increased by 45% since the beginning of the year, reaching 6.5 million tonnes. Morocco leads in terms of purchasing growth. Imports of Argentine corn to the country increased by 133% compared with the same period last year and amounted to 1.55 million tonnes. It is followed by Egypt, with an increase of 48% to 2.4 million tonnes, and Algeria, up 10% to 2.4 million tonnes.

Experts note that Ukraine is currently unable to export grain from its deep-water ports due to hostilities, and from its Danube ports due to low water levels.

«Today, the only way Ukraine can transport its products is overland. They will probably reach Europe, including France, where heat has destroyed the corn harvest,» predicts analyst and former Argentine Trade Minister Javier Preciado Patiño.

He noted that Ukraine’s foreign markets have become available to other suppliers.