Canadian U.S. corn imports off to a slow start

High barley stocks dampen Canadian demand for U.S. corn

The 2024-25 marketing year has started slowly for Canadian imports of U.S. corn, with significant declines noted in early transactions.

Reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reveal that only 1,400 tonnes were sold to Canada in the week ending September 12, totaling 56,900 tonnes of outstanding commitments—a sharp decrease from the previous year’s figures.

This reduction is primarily influenced by large barley supplies in Canada. According to recent data from Statistics Canada, barley production is expected to decrease this year, but old crop barley stocks have surged to 1.2 million tonnes, the highest in six years. This increase has mitigated the need for corn imports, with barley effectively fulfilling much of the feed demand.

In terms of pricing, barley remains competitively priced in key feeding areas such as Lethbridge, Alberta, where it is listed between C$265 and C$272 per tonne. This is closely aligned with the prices of imported corn, which stands at C$288 per tonne delivered.

The current dynamics of the Canadian feed grain market illustrate a shift driven by domestic supply levels, which are currently reducing reliance on U.S. corn imports.

Monitoring these trends will be essential for stakeholders in the agricultural sectors of both Canada and the United States as they navigate the remaining months of the marketing year.