Hungary bans Ukrainian corn imports amid drought-driven harvest shortfall
A new government decree effective 23 May 2026 prohibits direct Ukrainian corn imports, as Hungary faces a severe drought that could cut domestic corn output to around 1-1.3 million tonnes.
Hungary's latest agricultural regulation, enacted on 23 May 2026, bans direct imports of Ukrainian corn amid an unprecedented drought that threatens to reduce the national harvest to between 2 and 4 tonnes per hectare, yielding roughly 1-1.3 million tonnes. The decree maintains a limited transit corridor for Ukrainian grain, subject to rigorous customs checks and a maximum 15-day stay. Industry estimates indicate that 20-40 % of the expected crop may be aflatoxin-contaminated, rendering it unsuitable for food or feed and limiting its use to biofuel production.
The restriction aims to protect domestic farmers, but it also jeopardises large-scale processors—Pannonia Bio Zrt. (1.5 million t), Hungrana Kft. (1.2 million t) and Kall Ingredients Kft. (0.5 million t)—which need substantial corn supplies for bio-ethanol, sugar, biometane and feed ingredients. Without Ukrainian grain, these plants risk closure or must seek alternative sources, potentially up to 1.5-2 million tonnes, which experts say are not readily available nearby. The policy reflects a balance between safeguarding farmer incomes and maintaining the viability of the corn-processing sector.
Why it matters
The ban could reshape Hungary's corn market, affecting farmers, processors and food prices amid a critical drought.
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