The world’s two biggest corn exporters are preparing for a showdown, according to Bloomberg. The United States and Brazil are set to square off in competition this growing season over corn exports as Brazil is in the middle of collecting the nation’s biggest corn harvest ever, and U.S. supplies remain plentiful from last years’ record harvest. Bloomberg says those conditions set the stage for a stiff battle to win world buyers in the second half of this year. Japan and Mexico are expected to be the biggest corn importers this season. Brazil’s corn production in the 2016-17 season is forecast to surge 45 percent from a year ago to a record 97 million metric tons, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agency estimates that the 2016 U.S. harvest reached an all-time high and that the crop gathered this fall will be the second-bigger ever, but that could change with dwindling crop conditions. Brazil shipments of corn traditionally surge this time of year, during harvest. Meanwhile, U.S. corn shippers are seeing slow bookings for the coming marketing year. Still, experts in the U.S. say the nation is expected to remain the world’s top supplier.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.