U.S. corn exports in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 rose to 72.5 million metric tons (MMT), or 2.855 billion bushels, valued at more than $16.35 billion, setting a new record for export volume and value.
Mexico led the way as U.S. corn’s top buyer, setting its best year on record by purchasing more than 25.5 MMT (1 billion bushels). Corn sales to Mexico accounted for 35 percent of all U.S. corn exports in MY 2024/2025.
Japan held its place as U.S. corn’s second largest market, importing 13.3 MMT (524 million bushels) and Colombia rounded out the top three with 7.6 MMT (299 million bushels) in corn purchases.
Some of the largest year-over-year increases in purchase volume occurred in South Korea and the European Union, rising by 161.5 percent and 266 percent respectively to place themselves as the fourth and fifth largest export markets for U.S. corn.
Taiwan (2.3 MMT/92 million bushels), Guatemala (1.6 MMT/66 million bushels), Canada (1.5 MMT/59 million bushels), Vietnam (1MMT/43 million bushels) and Honduras (1 MMT/42 million bushels) made up the rest of the top 10 markets of the year.
“There’s a lot to be excited about from MY 2024/2025’s statistics, with Mexico breaking its import record and other countries more than doubling their purchases, showing U.S. corn’s ability to continue making a difference for consumers around the world,” said Cary Sifferath, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) vice president.
“The Council takes pride in connecting U.S. producers to international customers and providing transparent information through resources like its corn harvest quality and corn export cargo quality reports, adding to growers’ bottom lines each year.”