14.09.202602:25:03UTC+00Corn Futures Remain Firm

Corn futures hovered around $5.30 per bushel, holding near their highest levels since mid-2023 as ongoing supply risks in the Black Sea region underpinned prices and traders digested the USDA’s latest supply-and-demand report. In its September update, the USDA lowered its 2026/27 US corn yield forecast to 178.5 bushels per acre from 180.7, cut projected production to 15.8 billion bushels from 16.013 billion, and reduced ending stocks to 1.567 billion bushels from 1.653 billion. These downward revisions reflect expectations of a smaller US harvest after a hot summer and mounting concern over crop conditions.

At the same time, continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports and logistics infrastructure are disrupting grain flows and forcing Ukraine to divert more exports through the Danube. This shift is opening the door for Argentina to capture additional demand, with its corn exports projected to reach a record 10 million metric tons in August–September, partly offsetting the shortfall created by reduced Ukrainian shipments.