Photo credit: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council.
U.S. corn strengthened its position in major international markets during the 2024/25 marketing year, with significant gains in South Korea and Japan and new commercial opportunities developing across sub-Saharan Africa.
Market development programs led by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council helped support buyer relationships, address trade barriers and promote the quality, reliability and competitiveness of U.S. corn in established and emerging markets.
U.S. Corn Reaches Record South Korea Market Share
U.S. corn recorded its strongest performance in South Korea since 2008 during MY 2024/25. Korea imported 6.15 million metric tons of U.S. corn valued at $1.43 billion, giving the United States a 67% share of the country's corn import market.
U.S. corn imports increased 161% from 2.36 million metric tons in MY 2023/24, while import value increased 159% from $552.8 million.
The Council used Market Access Program funding for corn harvest quality rollout seminars, crop tours for feed and food corn buyers and joint market outlook seminars with the Korea Feed Association. It also worked with the Korea Feed Association and Korea Corn Processing Industry Association to address non-tariff barriers, including maximum residue limits and biotechnology-related issues affecting import clearance.
The Council invested approximately $532,000 in MAP-funded programs in Korea between 2024 and 2025. The investment contributed to an $880.9 million increase in U.S. corn export value during MY 2024/25 compared with the previous year, generating approximately $1,655 in additional export value for every $1 of MAP funding.
Japan Market Share Restored
U.S. corn also regained significant market share in Japan after South American suppliers gained ground through price competition.
U.S. corn's share of the Japanese market fell to 47% in MY 2023/24. As U.S. prices became more competitive, Japanese buyers returned to U.S. corn, with the U.S. market share rebounding to approximately 85% in MY 2024/25.
Japan imported 13 million metric tons of U.S. corn valued at approximately $3 billion during the marketing year.
The Council continued customer service activities supported by MAP and the Foreign Market Development program, including the Corn Harvest Quality Report, Corn Export Cargo Quality Report, supply-and-demand conferences, trade team visits and direct engagement with importers, feed manufacturers and processors.
The Council invested $250,000 in MAP funds for customer outreach in Japan. The programming generated $1.5 billion in additional U.S. corn exports, representing an estimated $6,000 in additional exports for every $1 of MAP funding invested.
Opening New Markets in Africa
Market development efforts also generated new business opportunities in Africa.
In June 2025, the Council hosted its third African Buyers and Sellers Conference in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, bringing together more than 95 participants from across Africa and U.S. feed grain suppliers.
The conference featured presentations on U.S. grain supply and demand, corn and distillers dried grains with solubles production, poultry nutrition, sorghum opportunities, global freight logistics and technical training programs. Business-to-business meetings provided African buyers with direct access to U.S. agribusiness representatives.
The meetings produced commercial results in Nigeria. A newly established Nigerian feed mill imported its first 200 metric tons of U.S. Corn Gluten Meal, valued at approximately $150,000. The shipment arrived at Apapa Port in Lagos in May 2026 for use in aquaculture feed. Pending successful trial results, the importer plans to establish an annual purchasing program of approximately 3,000 metric tons.
A leading Nigerian feed grain importer also developed a relationship with a U.S. supplier through the conference and subsequently purchased a vessel of U.S. corn valued at approximately $8 million, representing 40,000 metric tons.
The Council invested $4,000 in RAPP funds to support the participation of Nigerian feed industry leaders in the conference. The resulting $8.15 million in export sales represented a return of more than $2,000 for every $1 of RAPP funding invested.
Beyond Nigeria, U.S. corn exports expanded across sub-Saharan Africa during the reporting marketing year. The region imported nearly 400,000 metric tons of U.S. corn, including 225,000 metric tons by South Africa and 85,000 metric tons by Nigeria.
Namibia, Mozambique and Angola also imported U.S. corn for the first time, expanding the customer base for U.S. suppliers and creating additional opportunities for American corn producers.
The results across Asia and Africa highlight the role of sustained customer engagement, technical support and market development in maintaining U.S. corn's position in competitive markets while opening new export destinations.
Sources:
U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, "U.S. Corn Captures Record 67% Market Share in South Korea, Strongest Performance Since 2008"
U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, "Customer Servicing Helps Restore U.S. Corn Market Share to 85 Percent in Japan"
U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council. "Council’s African Buyers and Sellers Conference Drives $8 Million in Corn Sales, Opens New Markets Across Sub-Saharan Africa"