The International Grains Council forecasts record global grain production of 2.376 billion tonnes in 2025-26, up 2.6% from last year. Strong wheat and corn output will drive the increase, alongside higher food, feed, and industrial use. Soybean and rice production are also rising, but rice prices have plunged 32% year-on-year, pulling down the overall grains price index.
Global grain production for the 2025-26 marketing year is expected to reach a record high, despite a slight downward revision from the previous month, the International Grains Council (IGC) has reported. The council trimmed its combined wheat and coarse grain output forecast by 1 million tonnes, primarily due to lower expected production of barley and sorghum.
Still, total global grains output is projected to rise to 2.376 billion tonnes, up 2.6% from last year’s record, driven by strong wheat and maize (corn) harvests. Wheat production is forecast at 808 million tonnes, an 8 million tonne increase year-on-year, while corn output is expected to surge by 48 million tonnes to 1.276 billion tonnes.
The IGC also expects record usage of wheat and coarse grains across sectors: food use up by 13 million tonnes, feed use up by 16 million tonnes and industrial use up by 7 million tonnes. This translates to a 2% rise in total consumption compared to the previous year.
In the oilseeds sector, global soybean production in 2025-26 is projected to grow by 1% year-on-year, reaching an all-time high of 428 million tonnes, mainly due to larger harvests in the Southern Hemisphere. However, the IGC noted that while supplies will remain ample, tightening carryovers could emerge due to rising utilization.
Global soybean imports are expected to rise by 2%, with South American countries expanding their share in global trade.
In the rice sector, production is forecast to inch up modestly, especially among top exporting nations. A 1% rise in global rice consumption is also expected, supported by growing food demand in Africa and Asia.
On the pricing front, the IGC Grains and Oilseeds Index (GOI) rose 1% from the previous month, as gains in corn and soybean prices balanced slight declines in wheat and rice. However, the GOI remains down 3.4% year-on-year, largely due to a sharp 32% drop in rice prices, which offset strong corn price gains.
