Global Markets Fuel Illinois: 3 Trade Facts You Need to Know

International trade drives the United States economy.

The United States is the second largest exporter in the world and thrives with access to export markets. As we celebrate May as World Trade Month, here are three things you need to know about trade and Illinois agriculture.

1. Trade Agreements Make an Impact

Over 95% of the world’s population lives outside the U.S. Throughout the years, free trade agreements (FTA) have placed Illinois products across the world. The U.S. has trade agreements with 20 countries- creating a big impact for Illinois farmers. The U.S. Grains Council (USCG) reports more than half of all U.S. grains in all forms is exported to countries the U.S. has FTAs with.
Historically, IL Corn supports a free trade market opposed to fair trade. Free trade is the open flow of goods from one country to another. It limits barriers and tariffs and drives a competitive marketplace. Fair trade promotes ethical trade practices and often places barriers on products or goods because of environmental or humanitarian concern. Fair trade can include taxes on imported goods and creates a larger market for smaller producers of goods.

2. Illinois has Unique Trading Potential

The Land of Lincoln’s nearly 1,100 miles of navigable inland waterways provide farmers access to export markets. The Illinois Department of Agriculture reports Illinois ranks third in agricultural exports with $8.2 billion in goods shipped to other countries. 48% of Illinois corn is exported out of state via the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

3. There is Room to Grow

In March 2023, Japan opened 100% of its fuel market to American ethanol. The shift increased U.S. exports to Japan by 3070% or $434 million annually. New access to the Japanese market is a prime example of the opportunities available to U.S. farmers. IL Corn works with USGC, the U.S. Meat Export Federation, and the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council to grow demand for grain, fuel, and meat markets. USCG identified Canada, Japan, the European Union, United Kingdom, and India as the top five markets for U.S. ethanol.

IL Corn continues to promote growing markets and encourages trade to better the opportunity for Illinois farmers.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

IL Corn Leaders Honored with Prestigious National FFA Award

By Lindsay Mitchell • October 31, 2025

Celebrating Illinois Ag Leaders

Girl painting a leaf with brush at a table with paints, leaves, and other art supplies.

Helping Your Special Needs Farm Kid Thrive Through Art

By Emily Graham • October 30, 2025

Farm kids grow up surrounded by creativity—whether it’s building forts from hay bales, sketching tractors, or turning feed sacks into costumes.

Learning to See the Soil Differently: Dan Sanderson’s Conservation Journey (Part 1)

By Tara Desmond • October 30, 2025

When northern Illinois farmer Dan Sanderson started farming in the 1980s, cover crops weren’t exactly mainstream. Government set-aside programs required planting something like oats, but what stuck with Dan wasn’t the paperwork. It was the difference he noticed in those acres the next year—healthier plants and stronger soils. Decades later, that observation led him down a lifelong road of conservation and soil health improvement. In this episode of IL Corn TV, Dan joins IL Corn board member Shane Gray to talk about his path toward regenerative farming, what he learned at a 2017 Soil Health Academy that changed everything, and why he now treats soil as a living system, not something to manipulate. Dan’s story is one every farmer can relate to—trial and error, lessons learned the hard way, and realizing that “good soil” is about more than yield. 🎥 Watch Part 1 now and catch Part 2 soon, where Dan dives deeper into how he’s reducing inputs, improving soil function, and still keeping his yields strong.