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The change in regional geopolitical dynamics allowed the United States to capture the Venezuelan corn market, historically supplied by South American exporters. Analysts warn about the impact on Argentine and Brazilian producers who lost that trade flow.
Venezuela was for decades a relevant buyer of South American corn, mainly from Argentina and Brazil. The volume decreased markedly during recent years due to the internal economic crisis, but the recent geopolitical change paved the way for new suppliers.
The United States positioned itself quickly to fill that space, supported by greater political closeness.
According to regional trade operators, US corn shipments to Venezuela multiplied during the second quarter of 2026, capturing most of the remaining volume. Argentine and Brazilian exporters lost contracts and face the challenge of redirecting supply.
The change also reflects a reconfiguration of commercial alliances in the region.
The loss of the Venezuelan market forces South American exporters to reinforce other destinations in Asia and Africa, in a context of growing global competition. For producers, the change could translate into greater price pressure in the short term.
The episode also exposes the commercial vulnerability associated with dependence on politically sensitive markets.
