Agricultural trade matters to Nebraska’s farmers
More than 95% of the world’s population lives outside the United States. The greatest potential for growth and profitability for Nebraska farmers and ranchers lies in global markets – and that means international agricultural trade is critically important.
In 2024, U.S. ethanol exports grew 35% to an all-time high of 1.9 billion gallons. The U.S. produces around 16 billion gallons of ethanol or 52% of the world’s ethanol. Additionally, 13% of U.S. beef is exported – and 24% of U.S. pork finds its way to international markets. The U.S. also exports corn co-products such as distillers grains and corn gluten feed.
International trade drives demand – and demand drives price. That’s why trade is important to the bottom line for Nebraska corn producers.
What Does Nebraska Export?
Domestic Exports
When you think of agricultural exports, you may think only about what we send outside the United States, but most of Nebraska’s biggest exports stay within the borders of the U.S. Nebraska corn is in high demand at beef and dairy operations in California, Colorado, the Pacific Northwest and Texas. Nebraska ethanol is also exported to California and other domestic markets.
Nebraska is the largest corn and ethanol producer west of the Missouri River, so we are in a perfect position to serve these markets thanks to our abundant production and competitive transportation costs. The unique and interconnected system of corn, ethanol and livestock in Nebraska forms what is known as The Golden Triangle, helping propel our state’s economy.
As a result, much of the corn, distillers grains and ethanol we produce in Nebraska is used right here in the United States. But international exports of these products help increase demand and drives prices both domestically and worldwide – and that improves profitability for farmers, livestock producers and ethanol producers in Nebraska.
International Exports
U.S. corn producers supply one-third of the world’s corn and corn products. For Nebraska, international sales make up about 6% of our corn usage, with Mexico being one of our top markets. While Mexico is the main market for Nebraska’s corn exports, other countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China are also important corn export markets. In fact, together these four countries make up about 25% of our state’s international corn exports, according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
The global demand for meat and corn-based products is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. And as more countries look to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, the demand for ethanol is also expected to increase. These projections point to a promising future of continued growth for Nebraska farmers and our state’s economy as a whole.
Promoting Trade Through Strategic Partnerships
The Nebraska Corn Board is proud to partner with various trade organizations to help promote trade of Nebraska’s main exports in the United States and across the globe. Through these strategic partnerships, we’re working to increase the demand for and value of Nebraska agricultural products.
U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council
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he Nebraska Corn Board provides financial support to the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council. The Council has a network of offices and representatives around the world – promoting international trade for corn, corn co-products, ethanol, and distillers grains.
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)
The Nebraska Corn Board is a member of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), which increases the value and profit opportunities for the U.S. beef, pork, and lamb industries by enhancing demand in export markets through a coordinated and collaborative partnership of all stakeholders. “Simply put, USMEF is ‘putting’ U.S. meat on the world’s table.” Through its support of USMEF, the Nebraska Corn Board helps build demand for Nebraska beef and pork—and the corn and distillers grains used to feed those animals. Every pound of beef exported represents 3.46 pounds of corn and 1.42 pounds of distillers grains fed to that animal. And every pound of pork exported represents more than 40 pounds of corn and .24 pounds of distillers grains used as feed.
Trade Missions
Cultivating relationships is key to successfully marketing any product. The Nebraska Corn Board connects farmers with customers around the world through international trade missions. During these missions, farmers on the Board meet directly with current or potential corn buyers in other countries. Often, these agricultural trade missions are organized by industry groups and Nebraska Corn Board partners like the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council and U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Because of their ability to open new markets and solidify existing relationships, trade missions are an invaluable tool to increase the demand for corn—and the profitability for Nebraska’s corn farmers and ethanol producers.
