Corn was first domesticated in Mexico roughly 10,000 years ago. It is high in dietary fiber, Vitamins like A, B, E, and K, and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium.
Corn broadly has five varieties: sweet corn, dent corn, flint corn, popcorn, pod corn, and flour corn. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) deems whole kernels of shelled corn of dent and/or flint varieties as ‘corn’.
Today, corn is cultivated worldwide, and its global production of 1.33 billion metric tons in MY 2025/2026 further cements this.
The article discusses corn production by country for the current marketing year, covering total production, global share, yield, and total harvested area, along with past production data.
Here’s the list of global corn production by country:
Total production and global share of top corn-producing countries (USDA, MY 2025/26)
| Country | Total Production (Metric tons) | Share in Global Production (%) |
|---|---|---|
 United States | 430.9 Million | 32.4% |
 China | 301.24 Million | 22.6% |
 Brazil | 141 Million | 10.6% |
 Argentina | 64 Million | 4.8% |
 European Union | 56.9 Million | 4.3% |
 India | 55.09 Million | 4.1% |
 Ukraine | 30.9 Million | 2.3% |
 Mexico | 24.9 Million | 1.9% |
 South Africa | 18.1 Million | 1.4% |
 Canada | 14.87 Million | 1.1% |
1. United States
USDA claimed that the U.S. is the world leader in corn production. In the 2025/2026 marketing year, the country produced 430.9 million metric tons, about 32.4% of global production. The country's corn yield was estimated at 11.70 metric tons per hectare (MT/HA) from 36.8 million hectares of harvested area.
- 10-year production profile (MY2016/25):
- Production average: 374.92 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
- Production (MY 2024/25): 378.27 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 14%
2. China
China’s output of 301.24 million metric tons makes up 22.6% of global production in MY 2025/26. This bumper production came from 45 million hectares of total area harvested, which yielded 6.70 MT/HA of corn.
- 10-year production profile (MY 2016/25):
- Production average: 273.61 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
- Production (MY 2024/25): 294.92 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 2%
3. Brazil
Brazil’s production represents a solid 10.6% of total corn output worldwide for MY 2025/26. The country’s annual corn output was 141 million metric tons. Over a total harvested area of 22.8 million hectares, Brazil maintained a yield of 6.18 MT/HA.
- 10-year production profile (MY 2016/25):
- Production average: 111.95 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 4%
- Production (MY 2024/25): 136 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 4%
4. Argentina
Argentina has recorded some of the largest corn production in MY 2025/26, at 64 million metric tons. This volume makes up 4.8% of global production. The South American nation yielded 7.8 MT/HA from a total harvested area of 8.2 million hectares.
- 10-year production profile (MY 2016/25):
- Production average: 49.79 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 4%
- Production (MY 2024/25): 49 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 31%
5. European Union
The European Union is one of the world's largest corn producers, holding a 4.3% share of global corn production in MY 2025/26, which totaled 56.9 million metric tons. The EU achieved an average yield of 6.94 MT/HA from 8.2 million hectares of total harvested area.
- 10-year production profile (MY 2016/25):
- Production average: 62.5 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -0.84%
- Production (MY 2024/25): 59.59 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -5%
6. India
According to the USDA, India’s corn output of 55.09 million metric tons in MY 2025/26 represents 4.1% of global production. In that year, the nation’s estimated corn yield was 3.8 MT/HA from a total harvested area of 14.4 million hectares.
- 10-year production profile (MY 2016/25):
- Production average: 35.08 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 8%
- Production (MY 2024/25): 43.41 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 27%
7. Ukraine
Ukraine remained a major corn-producing country in MY 2025/26, with a corn harvest of 30.9 million metric tons, representing about 2.3% of global corn production. The crop harvested from 4.4 million hectares yielded 7.02 MT/HA of the commodity.
- 10-year production profile (MY 2016/25):
- Production average: 31.34 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
- Production (MY 2024/25): 26.8 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 15%
8. Mexico
The USDA estimated that Mexico captured 1.9% of global corn production with an output of 24.9 million metric tons in MY 2025/26. This harvest was drawn from a total area of 6.7 million hectares, with a yield of 3.71 MT/HA.
- 10-year production profile (MY 2016/25):
- Production average: 26.32 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -1%
- Production (MY 2024/25): 23.05 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 8%
9. South Africa
At 18.1 million metric tons, South Africa represents 1.4% of global corn production in MY 2025/26. The country tallied a yield of 5.79 MT/HA from a total harvested area of 3.1 million hectares.
- 10-year production profile (MY 2016/25):
- Production average: 15.74 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 0.31%
- Production (MY 2024/25): 17.35 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 4%
10. Canada
USDA reported Canada’s corn production at 14.87 million metric tons in MY 2025/26. The country harvested 1.5 million hectares and achieved a yield of 10.18 MT/HA, accounting for about 1.1% of global production.
- 10-year production profile (MY 2016/25):
- Production average: 14.36 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 0.68%
- Production (MY 2024/25): 15.35 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -3%
