Modern storage of harvested corn (maize) dries the grain to the desired moisture content, to prevent spoilage, mostly using natural gas. This is done in round grain bins on the farm, as well as at central depots. Today’s natural gas hyperinflation now undercuts corn handling in all the major grain belts in the Northern Hemisphere, just as it is time for the harvest over October and November. In France, Europe’s biggest corn producer, some gas suppliers have told their customers to expect shortages. The French farmers’ group AGPM on Oct. 27 advised growers to try to leave their crop standing on the stalk, to dry out in the fields, for longer than usual. This can work, if the fields aren’t hit by rain, cold, mold, fungus, etc.
In Ukraine the problem is dire. The rates of harvests are significantly slowing. In Ukraine, instead of half the corn in the bin as of now, it’s only a third harvested. In France, instead of 75 percent harvested as of mid-October, it was under 35 percent.
