Analysis of 2025 China Corn Import Data

According to the latest customs data, China's corn imports in 2025 totaled 2.6477 million metric tonnes, a year-on-year decrease of 80.80%. China's corn imports in 2025 exhibited distinct characteristics: a sharp decline in total annual volume, a significant surge in monthly imports toward the end of the year, and a high concentration of import sources.

In terms of import origins, China's corn imports in 2025 were relatively concentrated, primarily sourced from Brazil, Russia, and Myanmar. Compared to historical data, the import sources have shifted decisively from the United States, which was previously dominant, to Brazil, Russia, and other countries.

Among the import sources in 2025, Brazil ranked first. Brazil' s share of China' s corn imports increased from 47% in 2023 to over 60% in 2025. This growth is mainly attributed to its competitive pricing and supply timing, which complements China's seasonal demand. U.S. corn imports nearly vanished: due to factors such as high tariffs, China's imports of U.S. corn declined sharply in 2025, marking a stark contrast to the past when the United States was a major supplier. In addition to traditional suppliers like Brazil, imports from Russia, Myanmar, and other countries increased significantly. For example, Russia's share rose from a relatively small proportion in previous years to nearly 17% in 2025. This reflects China's efforts to actively diversify its corn import channels.

Corn imports were highly concentrated in southeastern coastal regions (such as Fujian) and major feed and livestock production areas (such as Shandong). This distribution is primarily driven by    feed processing demand and port logistics conditions. Heilongjiang, adjacent to Russia, saw an increase in corn imports from Russia in 2025 through land ports (such as Suifenhe and Heihe), benefiting from lower logistics costs.

It is projected that corn imports will remain low in early 2026. Based on future shipping schedules and market expectations, corn imports for the current marketing year are expected to increase significantly compared to the previous year. This month, the forecast for corn imports in the 2025/2026 marketing year has been revised upward by 1 million metric tonnes to 4 million metric tonnes, representing an increase of 2.18 million metric tonnes from the previous marketing year. In the long term, diversifying import sources and ensuring food security will remain core strategies. Brazil is expected to maintain its central role due to its production capacity, competitive pricing, and seasonal advantages. Shares from neighboring countries such as Russia and Myanmar may also consolidate, while the return of U.S. corn will largely depend on future changes in trade policies.