Corn Feeds Poultry. Partnerships Drive Demand.

The connection between Illinois corn farmers and global poultry markets might not be obvious at first glance, but it’s a partnership rooted in a simple truth: poultry depends on corn.

That’s exactly why the IL Corn Marketing Board invests in relationships with organizations like USA Poultry & Egg Export Council. When demand for U.S. poultry and eggs grows internationally, so does demand for the feed that fuels it - corn grown right here in Illinois.

That connection was front and center last week as IL Corn leaders attended the USAPEEC Strategic Planning Conference.  The event united industry leaders, global partners, and commodity groups to focus on the shared goal of expanding demand for U.S. poultry and egg exports.

Over two days, attendees dug into market dynamics, trade policy, and regional growth strategies across key markets like Latin America, Europe, and Asia. From insights shared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service to collaborative sessions shaping long-term export strategies, the message was clear - global partnerships are essential to building demand.

For Illinois farmers, that investment is personal.

“Poultry is one of our largest customers,” said Matt Raben, an Illinois farmer and director on the IL Corn Marketing Board. “When we’re at the table with partners like USAPEEC, we’re not just talking about exports, we’re strategically planning ways to build demand for the corn we grow every day.”

Beyond the meetings and market discussions, the conference reinforced the value of collaboration strengthening relationships between U.S. agriculture and international partners like Mexico’s poultry industry, a key buyer of U.S. products.

It’s a reminder that Illinois corn doesn’t just stay in the Midwest. Through partnerships like USAPEEC, it becomes part of the global food system feeding poultry, fueling trade, and creating long-term value for farmers back home.