Lower prices for Ukrainian corn: the trend for the coming weeks

The Ukrainian corn market continues to show a downward trend in prices. On the domestic market, prices fell to the level of $206/t DAP deep-water ports. The main factors are problems with the port infrastructure and limited capacity of vessels, which has led to an increase in freight rates and made it difficult to export.

Activity remains low on the foreign market. The large supply of corn from the USA and Latin American countries is restraining the demand for Ukrainian products. Traditional buyers refrain from active purchases, waiting for stabilization of prices. As a result, sellers are looking for alternative sales channels, trying to diversify risks.

Due to difficulties with port logistics, some agricultural holdings are reorienting to the western border of the country. However, here too the price of corn is decreasing: in the last two weeks, the drop was about 10 €/t, especially on forward contracts for spring delivery — from the level of 190 €/t to 180 €/t FCA cordon. The main buyer in the west remains Italy, but the number of active participants is limited, and the liquidity of the market is much lower than in the port segment.

The price of a Eurowagon at the border today is about $180/t FCA with delivery in April-June. There are few active buyers, and the search for counterparties remains difficult. Most end buyers have already closed their positions for the coming periods, and only those with open contracts are making real deals.

The market situation is characterized by an imbalance between supply and demand, which may persist for several more weeks. Agricultural holdings and traders are actively optimizing logistics, looking for alternative ways of selling and trying to avoid additional losses due to delays in ports.

In comparison, sunflower price is also under pressure due to logistics constraints and rising freight rates, while barley price shows more stable dynamics, although the volume of purchases in Europe remains limited. This indicates that internal and external factors affect not only corn, but also other crops, creating general tension in the grain market.

In such conditions, manufacturers should pay attention to several important aspects: planning deliveries in earlier terms, searching for reliable traders and partners on the western border, as well as monitoring changes in the global situation. Balanced inventory management and flexible sales strategy help to minimize risks and get a better price, even in conditions of high competition and reduced demand.

Thus, Ukrainian corn continues to decrease both on the domestic market and on the western border. The market will remain tight in the coming weeks, with prices responding to global supply and infrastructure conditions. Manufacturers and traders must be ready for rapid changes in the market situation and adapt their strategies to current conditions.