Illinois Corn Prices in 2025

As planting begins, Illinois corn farmers are navigating a constantly changing market. Despite some price increases earlier in the year, futures prices remain below break-even levels, making it difficult for growers to cover the full cost of production.

According to farmdoc daily’s revised 2025 crop budgets, recent data shows break-even prices to cover nonland costs remain in the range of $3.17 to $3.66 per bushel for corn and break-even prices to cover total costs (non-land plus average cash rent) range from $4.60 to $4.66 for corn.

A farmdoc daily analysis shows that 2025 marks one of the few years since 2000 where the break-even price for corn exceeds the projected market price, meaning that even efficient producers are likely to see losses.

The fix to this economic downturn is to build demand for U.S. corn, a measure that Congress could do today by passing year-round E15 legislation. Notably, this solution also costs no money for taxpayers. Congress could drive even more demand for corn by passing a high-octane fuel policy that would set a new certification fuel with higher octane, driving fuel efficiency. Neither of these is an ethanol mandate; instead, these options open the marketplace for higher blends of ethanol.

As the 2025 planting season progresses, IL Corn will continue to look at market trends and to advocate for expanded market opportunities to support Illinois corn farmers.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.

Budget Reconciliation Bill Passes Congress

By Lyndi Allen • July 3, 2025

Illinois corn farmers will be impacted by many provisions in the Budget Reconciliation Bill that passed in both chambers this week.

Importance of Trade Series: Ethanol

By Lyndi Allen • July 3, 2025

Trade plays a critical role in driving demand for U.S. corn—not only as grain or feed, but also as fuel.

Corn: More American Than Apple Pie

By Lindsay Croke • June 30, 2025

When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.