London | Reuters — Global grain production is rising faster in the 2025/26 season than previously forecast and stocks also look set to climb this season, the International Grains Council said on Thursday.
The intergovernmental body, in a monthly update, forecast total grains production at a record 2.461 billion metric tons, up 31 million tons from its previous projection.
“The 2025/26 total grains harvest will smash all existing records. As well as bumper maize (corn) and wheat outturns, barley and sorghum crops are also expected at multi-season peaks,” the IGC said.
Read Also
Carney hails warmer ties with China, Xi’s leadership
Prime Minister Mark Carney hailed on Thursday Canada’s improving ties with China as well as the leadership of President Xi Jinping. In a ‘roadmap’ agreement signed on Thursday, Canada and China committed to “maintaining open channels of communication” to resolve issues on trade in agricultural products like canola.
The report said about half the extra production may be channelled into consumption but almost as much might also be added to year-end stocks.
Global wheat production was upwardly revised to 842 million tons, up from 830 million seen previously, driven partly by improved outlooks for Argentina and Canada.
The IGC upgraded its forecast for Argentina’s wheat crop to 27.7 million tons, up from a previous projection of 23.5 million and now broadly in line with the current U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast of 27.5 million.
Canada’s wheat crop was revised to 40 million tons from 36.6 million. The USDA earlier this month put Canadian wheat production at 39.95 million.
Global corn production in 2025/26 was increased by 15 million tons to 1.313 billion tons driven mainly by an upgrade for the U.S. (432.3 million tons from 419 million).
Earlier this month, the USDA raised its forecast for U.S. corn production, surprising the consensus among analysts for a reduction and sending Chicago prices lower.
— Reporting by Nigel Hunt
