The hot weather that has gripped Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region is causing serious problems for the corn crop in Ukraine, which is one of the largest suppliers of this crop in the world. According to Bloomberg, high temperatures have already reached +38ºС, which negatively affects the development of corn during the critical period of its growth.

In Romania, one of the main producers of corn in the European Union, the situation is also not improving due to drought. The critical period for corn — the pollination stage — is in unfavorable conditions, which increases the risks for the future crop.

Tetyana Adamenko, head of the agrometeorology department of the Hydrometeorological Center of Ukraine, noted: "In July, we observed temperatures above +35ºС for ten days. Under such conditions, bees cannot pollinate corn efficiently. According to preliminary estimates, the corn harvest may be 20-30% less than expected."

A decrease in yield and acreage may significantly affect the volume of corn exports from Ukraine in the 2024/25 season. Exports are expected to fall by about a fifth, and estimates for the European Union corn crop have already been cut in a Strategie Grains report.

Reduced corn production could lead to reduced stocks and increased feed costs for livestock in Europe. Local feed prices resisted the recent drop in Chicago corn futures, reflecting market tension.

The case also highlights the food security risks of climate change affecting farmers around the world. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and their effects can be global, affecting food systems and national economies.