The International Grains Council (IGC) has sharply raised its forecast for world corn production in 2025-26, projecting a record 1.299 billion tonnes, up 23 million from last month, largely due to an improved US outlook.
In its monthly Grain Market Report on Thursday, the IGC pegged the American crop at 423.5 million tonnes, compared to 398.9 million previously, reflecting both expanded planted area and stronger yield prospects. The revision brings the IGC in line with the USDA, which last week raised its own forecast to a record 425.3 million tonnes.
The upward US corn adjustment drove a broader lift in global grain projections. The IGC now sees 2025-26 total grains (wheat and coarse grains) production at 2.404 billion tonnes, a 27-million tonne increase from July and 83 million more than last year. World wheat output is projected at 811 million tonnes this month, up 3 million from July and 11 million above the previous year.
Despite the record harvest outlook, strong demand is expected to absorb much of the gain. The IGC raised its forecast for global consumption by 13 million tonnes this month, to 1.285 billion tonnes for corn alone, with overall grains use projected to climb 49 million year-on-year to 2.391 billion. Rising feed and industrial demand are key drivers, the IGC said.
At an estimated 294 million tonnes, world corn ending stocks are up from 278 million in July and 279 million in 2024-25. Total coarse grain ending stocks, at 597 million tonnes, increased from 582 million in July and above 584 million a year earlier.
Meanwhile, following a year of record soyabean supplies, demand and trade, fresh peaks are predicted in 2025-26, the IGC said. Amid tentative outlooks for bigger South American crops, global soybean output for 2025-26 is pegged at 430 million tonnes, up 2 million from July and 5 million above the previous year. World soybean ending stocks in 2025-26 are estimated by the IGC at 85 million tonnes, up 2 million from July but still 1 million below 2024-25.
