Italy turns to US, Brazilian corn as Black Sea conflict disrupts Ukrainian supply

Italian corn buyers are increasingly turning to US and Brazilian supplies as the conflict in the Black Sea region disrupts shipments from Ukraine, traditionally Italy's main source of imported corn, traders said.

Several US and Brazilian corn cargoes are en route to Italy, while some have already arrived, according to importers. "Several vessels are arriving from Brazil and the US. Ports are almost full of corn now," a corn buyer at an Italian feed mill said.

Another market participant estimated that about 150,000-180,000 metric tons had arrived in the week to Oct. 2, with additional volumes expected. The influx has slowed spot market activity as buyers focus on executing existing contracts and fresh demand might not emerge until November or December, the market participant added.

Ukraine has been the primary source of corn for the Italian market in recent years.

Port lineup data shared by a trader showed that Italy was the second-largest destination for Ukrainian corn after Turkey, receiving about 2.72 million mt from July 2025 to June 2026.

Despite logistical difficulties at Ukraine's POC ports, smaller corn cargoes continued to move from Danube ports, with Italy remaining among their destinations. However, an Italian importer said Ukraine's share of the Italian market was likely to decline because loading in the Odesa district was not possible.

Some Ukrainian corn would continue to reach Italy via smaller river ports such as Izmail or by truck and rail, but volumes would be substantially lower than the usual flows carried on Handysize vessels, the importer said. "I expect 60% less Ukrainian corn if the conflict does not end," the importer added.

Flows from the Danube are also expected to decline following the recent attack on the Royad Mammadov, a 6,933 deadweight ton dry cargo vessel carrying corn from Izmail to Ravenna, near Romania's offshore Pescarus platform, according to Romanian local media.

"If or when Ukraine will reopen is the real question," the Italian corn buyer said, referring to the availability of Ukrainian corn in the domestic market.

Meanwhile, Italy has also shown interest in Romanian corn shipped from the Constanta-Varna-Burgas region, mirroring demand from Turkey, according to Romania-based traders. "Italy is sniffing around," a Romanian seller said when asked about potential European destinations for corn from the region.

Platts, part of S&P Global energy, assessed Ukrainian corn FOB POC at $223/mt and corn from CVB, FOB CVB at $269/mt on Oct. 6 for the Nov. 3-17 shipment.