Corn Holds Firm Near 10-Month High

2026-03-24 06:57 By Joshua Ferrer 1 min. read

Corn futures traded around $4.6 per bushel, holding firm near its highest since May 2025, supported by elevated energy prices as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt fuel and fertilizer supply chains.

A temporary easing in oil came after US President Donald Trump announced a five-day pause in strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, but broader supply concerns remain as Iran continues to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and fertilizer exports.

Rising diesel and nitrogen fertilizer costs, both critical inputs for corn, are squeezing farmer margins, particularly in the US, while similar pressures are emerging globally.

In regions like South Africa, fuel shortages and higher input costs are already threatening planting and harvesting activity, highlighting risks to output.

With corn being highly fertilizer-intensive, the ongoing cost shock is reinforcing expectations of tighter supply and keeping prices supported, even as volatility persists.



News Stream
Corn Holds Firm Near 10-Month High
Corn futures traded around $4.6 per bushel, holding firm near its highest since May 2025, supported by elevated energy prices as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt fuel and fertilizer supply chains. A temporary easing in oil came after US President Donald Trump announced a five-day pause in strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, but broader supply concerns remain as Iran continues to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and fertilizer exports. Rising diesel and nitrogen fertilizer costs, both critical inputs for corn, are squeezing farmer margins, particularly in the US, while similar pressures are emerging globally. In regions like South Africa, fuel shortages and higher input costs are already threatening planting and harvesting activity, highlighting risks to output. With corn being highly fertilizer-intensive, the ongoing cost shock is reinforcing expectations of tighter supply and keeping prices supported, even as volatility persists.
2026-03-24
Corn Declines From April Highs
Corn futures retreated $4.6 per bushel from April highs as de-escalation hopes of Middle Eastern hostilities removed the geopolitical risk premium that previously inflated the entire grain complex. This downward pressure is primarily driven by a sharp decline in crude oil prices following productive negotiations between the US and Iran, threatening to erode the demand floor for corn-based ethanol. While the recent rally was supported by a 30% spike in urea fertilizer prices and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the postponement of military strikes has calmed global markets and reduced concerns over the 12% of global urea capacity tied to the region. Lower energy costs are also mitigating fears of a surge in grain transportation and production expenses, prompting a pullback in the speculative capital that had entered the market to hedge against supply chain disruptions.
2026-03-23
Corn Hits 46-week High
Corn increased to 469.75 USd/BU, the highest since May 2025. Over the past 4 weeks, Corn gained 9.79%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 0.08%.
2026-03-19