Exports
Over half of the corn produced in Illinois (more than one billion bushels) is exported out of the state every year. Our largest foreign buyers are Japan, Mexico, and South Korea, but a significant amount of Illinois corn also goes to China, Central America, and the western US. Most all of the corn exported ends up as animal feed.
Illinois also exports DDGS, a by-product from ethanol production. Read more about DDGS here.
Infrastructure
Illinois Corn invests in rail working with the CREATE project and GORAILbecause a significant portion of our crop leaves the state on rail headed for Texas, Mexico, and the southern states. However, one of our biggest priorities remains upgrading the lock and dam system on the Mississippi, Illinois, and Ohio Rivers because the waterway system gives Illinois an enormous logistical advantage over... Read More>>
Partners
Illinois Corn works with several important partners to accomplish our international/export goals. US Grains Council – Not only does the Illinois Corn Marketing Board provide funding to the US Grains Council, we also participate in learning opportunities with them, such as our recent mission to Panama. Trader’s Group – Trader’s Group receives funding from the... Read More>>
Trade Missions
There are literally hundreds of buyers visiting Illinois every year, inspecting the corn crop as it grows and monitoring yields just as close as our local corn farmers. Within the past year, representatives from Japan, China, Panama, Mexico, Korea, Dominican Republic, and all over Latin America have traveled to Illinois, learning about corn production in Illinois, logistics and transportation,... Read More>>
Free Trade Agreements
On October 12, Congress passed the Colombia, Korea, and Panama Free Trade Agreements. President Obama signed them into law on October 21. Collectively, these three agreements signal an understanding by Congress that increased exports mean jobs and economic activity that the U.S. desperately needs. Under the agreements, Illinois corn farmers will enjoy: Higher prices for commodities as... Read More>>
Trading Companies
Coming soon – a link to all the trading companies in Illinois!