Russian Corn Exports to China Surge Nearly Threefold in 2025

• Corn Surge: Russian corn exports to China jumped 2.9x in 2025 to a record 444,000 tons worth $107.6 million, signaling stronger Russian presence in Asian feed markets.
• Wheat Collapse: Wheat shipments to China plunged 5.7-fold to 60,600 tons, their lowest level since 2022, highlighting shifting Chinese demand or stronger competition from other origins.
• Mixed Grains: Barley exports to China fell by one-third, while buckwheat and oats shipments hit record or higher levels, underscoring a diversification in Russia’s grain export mix.
• Trade Rebalancing: The changing composition of Russia’s exports to China points to evolving Black Sea trade flows and potential redistribution of wheat to alternative markets.

Russian Corn Exports to China Hit Record High

Russia exported a record 444,000 tons of corn to China in 2025, with a total value of $107.6 million. This represents a 2.9-fold increase compared with the previous year, setting a new benchmark for Russian corn trade with the Chinese market and strengthening Russia’s role as a competitive corn supplier into Asia.

Wheat and Barley Shipments Weaken Sharply

In contrast to corn, Russian wheat exports to China collapsed to 60,600 tons in 2025, worth $13.8 million. Volumes fell 5.7-fold from 345,800 tons (valued at $87.3 million) the previous year, marking the lowest wheat export level to China since 2022. Barley shipments also declined, dropping 33% year-on-year to 518,900 tons, with a total value of $111.2 million.

Diversification into Buckwheat and Oats

Russia simultaneously expanded exports of alternative grains. Buckwheat shipments to China reached a historic high of 255,100 tons in 2025, with export revenues up 11.5% to $68.2 million. Oats exports also increased, rising 5% to 238,900 tons and generating $54.5 million in trade value.

Trade Dynamics and Market Implications

The sharp increase in corn exports and the simultaneous collapse in wheat flows suggest a structural shift in Russia’s grain export portfolio to China. Strong corn demand indicates that Russia is successfully filling gaps left by other suppliers or leveraging favorable pricing into the Chinese feed market. Meanwhile, weaker wheat and barley volumes may reflect changes in Chinese import preferences, tighter quality requirements, or intensified competition from other Black Sea and global exporters. For international corn traders, Russia’s growing footprint in China signals tougher competition for market share, while declining Russian wheat volumes into China imply that more wheat could be redirected toward other destinations or that overall Chinese appetite for Russian wheat has diminished.

Source: Market Data