Study shows $142B in economic impact from U.S. corn in 2025

WASHINGTON — America’s corn growers had the largest crop in history in 2025, producing 17.02 billion bushels, grown on 98.8 million acres and valued at $70.1 billion, according to a study from the National Corn Growers Association.

“This is a testament to the magnitude of the U.S. corn industry, but the ‘ripple effects’ of the sector extend even further,” said Gretchen Kuck, NCGA economist and author of the study.

“The nation’s corn growers drive economic activity far beyond their farms, supporting local communities and boosting the broader U.S. economic engine.”

Corn production makes an estimated $142 billion in total economic output, contributing $56 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product, and supports more than 482,000 jobs, bringing home $32 billion in wages in 2025, according to the report.

“Put a simpler way, every bushel of corn produced in the United States in 2025 contributed an associated $8.34 in economic activity to the broader U.S. economy,” Kuck said.

Compared to the previous year, the price of corn was relatively lower — but a significant increase in production volume more than made up the difference in total value of the crop, the report stated.

Despite record output, 2025 was far from a record crop by value.

The season-average price received at the farm gate for the 2025 crop is estimated at $4.15 — this is lower than the five-year average of $5.10, 10-year average of $4.31 and 20-year average of $4.32, the report said.

By The Numbers

Illinois

• Value of production — $9.76 billion

• Economic output — $18.45 billion

• Wages — $4.46 billion

• Employment — 56,501

• Value added — $8.44 billion

Indiana

• Value of production — $4.58 billion

• Economic output — $8.06 billion

• Wages — $1,94 billion

• Employment — 30,087

• Value added — $3.5 billion

Iowa

• Value of production — 11.36 billion

• Economic output — $19.71 billion

• Wages — $3.5 billion

• Employment — 48,699

• Value added — $7.01 billion