BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA — Argentina is projected to enjoy strong corn and wheat production for marketing year 2026-27 with significant international demand supporting potentially the second-largest export season on record for both commodities, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture.
Argentine corn production in 2026-27 is forecast at 62 million tonnes, 1.5 million tonnes above the FAS mid-July projection, reflecting expectations of higher yields. This would put production just 1 million tonnes below last year’s record level.
Corn planting is roughly 35% complete, the FAS said. With forecasts pointing to a strong El Niño event and current soil moisture levels abundant across most growing regions, farmers are increasing the share of early-planted corn relative to late-planted corn.
Argentina’s corn exports — which rank third behind only the United States and Brazil — are projected to be 43 million tonnes in 2026-27, up 500,000 tonnes from 2025-26. Key destinations include Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Peru and Chile also will be on the table for purchases.
“Market contacts currently anticipate strong demand for Argentine corn in the coming marketing year, particularly if Russia’s war in Ukraine war continues to disrupt competing supplies,” the FAS said. “The main export destinations are expected to remain Argentina’s traditional markets, where buyers value the quality of its corn.”
Wheat, likewise, is positioned for a strong season in 2026-27, with a production forecast of 23 million tonnes, 1.4 million tonnes above the FAS mid-July estimate, reflecting favorable rainfall during most of the growing season. Average yields are expected to be above normal, although below last year’s record level that saw an estimated 28 million tonnes harvested.
The main wheat harvest typically begins in mid-November in central Argentina and concludes in late December or early January in southern Buenos Aires Province. Industry contacts are concerned, however, that an unusually strong El Niño event could bring unfavorable weather conditions that disrupt the harvest and raise quality issues, the FAS said.
Wheat exports in 2026-27 are forecast at 17 million tonnes, including wheat flour converted to grain equivalent, down 2.3 million tonnes year on year. Traders report strong demand for Argentine wheat as the war in Ukraine continues to disrupt supplies from the Black Sea region.
Shipments to neighboring Brazil are expected to be higher than normal due to its own production shortfalls. Other major export destinations are expected to include Southeast Asian markets, particularly Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh, as well as African countries such as Algeria, Morocco and Angola.
Barley production, meanwhile, has been revised downward to 4.8 million tonnes with average yields about 20% below last year’s unusually high yield levels that saw 5.6 million tonnes harvested.
The 2026-27 barley crop had a difficult start to the season in May-July, when excessive rainfall and soil moisture complicated crop establishment, the FAS noted.
Total barley exports for 2026-27 are forecast at 3.3 million tonnes, with Brazil expected to import significant volumes of malting barley due to its rain-damaged domestic crop.
John Reidy is senior digital media editor for World Grain, covering the grain, flour and feed industries. He spent 25 years in newspapers as a reporter and editor and has been an editor in the grain industry since 2019. He joined Sosland Publishing Company in 2021. He is a graduate of Creighton University with a degree in journalism. Connect with John Reidy on LinkedIn or via email.
