- Russian corn exports to Turkey surged 54% year-on-year, reaching 550,000 tons from September 2025 to March 20, 2026.
- Q1 2026 shipments accelerated sharply, with 360,000 tons delivered January–March 20, a seven-fold increase versus last year.
- Turkish Grain Agency demand is strong, with 630,000 tons of feed corn contracted since January 2026, supporting Black Sea export premiums.
- Russia is gaining market share in Turkey even as total Turkish corn imports fell to 1.3 million tons from 1.9 million tons year-on-year.
Russian Corn Exports to Turkey Surge 54% Year-on-Year
Russian exporters shipped approximately 550,000 tons of corn to Turkey between September 2025 and March 20, 2026, a 54% increase compared with the same period of the previous marketing year. Shipments intensified sharply in early 2026, with 360,000 tons delivered from January to March 20 alone—seven times the volume shipped during the same period last year, according to the Federal Center “Agroexport” under the Russian Ministry of Agriculture.
Turkey’s demand is being driven primarily by the poultry sector and industrial feed manufacturers. Since the beginning of 2026, the Turkish Grain Agency (TMA) has purchased 630,000 tons of feed corn, including 280,000 tons contracted under the March 16 tender for delivery in late March and April, underscoring sustained consumption needs.
Turkish Import Structure and Demand Dynamics
Despite the notable rise in Russian-origin volumes, total Turkish corn imports (excluding seed) declined to 1.3 million tons from September through January 2026, down from 1.9 million tons during the same period of the previous season, according to Turkish National Customs data. This suggests that Russia is capturing a larger share of a slightly smaller import pie, likely displacing competing suppliers.
| Period / Metric | Volume | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Russian corn to Turkey (Sep 2025–20 Mar 2026) | 550,000 tons | +54% |
| Russian corn to Turkey (Jan–20 Mar 2026) | 360,000 tons | 7x vs. previous year |
| TMA feed corn purchases since Jan 2026 | 630,000 tons | n/a |
| Turkish total corn imports (Sep–Jan 2026, excl. seed) | 1.3 million tons | down from 1.9 million tons |
Market Analysis and Price Implications
Bullish for Russian corn: The strong increase in shipments into Turkey indicates that Russia has secured a competitive advantage on pricing and logistics into Eastern Mediterranean destinations. Elevated tender activity from TMA confirms that feed demand from the livestock and poultry sectors remains resilient, helping to underpin Black Sea corn export premiums.
With Russia rapidly expanding its footprint in Turkey, competing origins—particularly Ukrainian corn—may face mounting pressure on both price and volumes. Market participants should also monitor freight rates and vessel availability from Black Sea ports, as the intensified flow into Turkey could tighten regional tonnage and influence delivered costs across nearby destinations.
Source: Market Data
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