Global corn production is experiencing significant regional variations, with some countries achieving near-record harvests while others face substantial reductions due to adverse weather conditions, according to the latest USDA World Agricultural Production report released in September 2025.
The European Union's corn production for marketing year 2025/26 is estimated at 55.3 million metric tons (mmt), down 2.7 mmt (5 percent) from last month, 4.0 mmt (7 percent) from last year, and 12 percent below the 5-year average. Harvested area is estimated at 8.0 million hectares, down 50,000 hectares from last month and 8 percent below last year.
Romania has experienced one of the EU's largest reductions, with production lowered by 1.6 mmt to 6.1 mmt, including a downward revision of 68,000 hectares to area. Hungary's production decreased by 0.8 mmt to 3.6 mmt, while Bulgaria was reduced by 0.6 mmt to 1.4 mmt.
The production declines extended beyond EU boundaries to Serbia, where corn production was revised down by 1.6 mmt with area reduced by 50,000 hectares. France also experienced detrimental heat in its southwestern corn region, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 °F) multiple times in August, leading to a 0.5 mmt reduction to 12.8 mmt.
Russia's corn production for marketing year 2025/26 was estimated at 14.1 mmt, down 6 percent from last month but up 1 percent from last year. The reduction is primarily due to unfavorable growing conditions and prolonged dryness, particularly across the Southern and North Caucasus Districts.
In contrast, Brazil is approaching a record harvest with corn production for marketing year 2024/25 estimated at 135.0 mmt, up 2 percent from last month and 13 percent from the previous year. Favorable conditions and an extended rainy season for the safrinha (second) corn crop, which accounts for roughly 75 percent of total annual production, have contributed to the near-record output.
South Africa achieved its third largest harvest on record at 16.5 mmt, up 5 percent from last month and 23 percent from the previous year's drought-reduced crop. Despite below-average rainfall during the planting season, above-average precipitation from late January through April boosted yields during critical pollination and grain-filling stages.
India is expecting record corn production for marketing year 2025/26 at 43.0 mmt, up 2 percent from both last month and last year. The harvested area is estimated at a record 11.5 million hectares, with favorable monsoon conditions providing adequate irrigation supplies and soil moisture for crop establishment and development.
