Vietnam U.S. Corn Imports Surge with Sustainability Program

Vietnam’s growing U.S. corn purchases are creating new export demand for American growers.

LUBBOCK, Texas (RFD News) — Vietnam’s purchases of U.S. corn surged after the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council introduced a sustainability and traceability program aimed at giving overseas buyers more information about American production practices. The Council says imports climbed from just over 5,000 metric tons in 2023/24 to 1.09 million tons in 2024/25.

The shipments were valued at $256 million, with about 97% carrying a Record of Sustainability under the Corn Sustainability Assurance Protocol. The documentation provides buyers with traceability information without incurring a fee.

The Council says that combination has helped U.S. corn compete in Vietnam’s cost-sensitive feed market, where buyers increasingly consider sustainability alongside price and quality.

For U.S. growers, the expansion represents more than one million metric tons of additional demand in a market that had previously purchased little American corn.

The Council estimates that $50,000 in federal market-development funding supported $251 million in sustainable corn exports during 2025, highlighting Vietnam as a rapidly growing outlet for U.S. production.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Vietnam’s rapid increase in U.S. corn purchases shows traceability programs can help growers compete for new export demand.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

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