Ukrainian corn takes over US grain positions in the Chinese market

Against the background of the U.S.-China trade war, Ukrainian corn producers began replacing American suppliers in the Chinese market, Successful Farming reports.

Several years ago, the U.S. used to be a dominant corn supplier to China. In 2011/12, the U.S. sold 201 million bushels (5.1 mmt) of corn to China, which accounted for almost 100% of all Chinese imports, the message says.

In the 2017/18 marketing year, when the trade war was just starting, U.S. exports fell to 11.8 mln bu (0.3 mmt), or less than 10% of Chinese imports.

Even before the trade war, China started to switch to other corn suppliers, mainly to Ukraine.

In 2013, the first vessel of Ukrainian corn reached China. This year, Ukraine has become the largest supplier of corn. In 2018/19, Ukranian corn exports to China are expected to be around 160 million bushels (4 mmt) and account for more than 80% of total Chinese imports.

Illinois Congressman Robin Kelly on her Facebook page commented on President Donald Trump's policy.

"Much of China’s corn imports USED to come from Illinois until the failed #TrumpTradeWar killed our market access," she says.

Earlier it was reported that since the start of 2019/20 Ukraine delivered to foreign markets 6.98 million tons of grain and leguminous crops. Commodities shipment increased 1.5x (2.22 million tons) from the prior year's comparative period, 4.73 million tons.

As of August 22nd, corn deliveries reached 1.68 million tons, up 635 thou. tons y-o-y.