Record Exports, Consistent Customers, New Opportunities

The best way to enhance grower profitability is to create new demand for corn, including the export of grain and value-added grain products. In times like these when corn prices are low, exports have been a bright spot.  

Industry Partners Help Find International Buyers for Iowa Corn

From grains to value-added products like pork and beef, corn grown in Iowa is exported all over the world, with partners at the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) helping to amplify demand. 

ICPB’s investment in USGBC has helped increase demand for U.S. corn and co-products around the world, thereby increasing Iowa corn farmer profitability. By acting as a bridge between U.S. suppliers and international customers, USGBC increases exposure and builds demand for U.S. and Iowa-grown corn and related products like ethanol and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS).  

Together, Iowa Corn and USGBC promote U.S. feed grains and corn-based ethanol in more than 50 countries. 

Record-setting Ethanol Exports for the 2024/2025 Marketing Year

The results of USGBC’s work are showing up in the numbers:  

• Record ethanol exports 

• Record grain sales to Mexico  

• New markets opening across the globe 

The 2024/2025 marketing year (MY 24/25) represented a record year for ethanol exports, with shipments of 2.13 billion gallons valued at $4.6 billion. MY 25/26 is starting off even stronger, running 13% ahead of last year, with 1.8 billion gallons being exported from September through February of this year. The year-over-year increase in ethanol exports ultimately represents more Iowa corn finding a market around the globe. 

U.S. Shipments Helping Canada, EU and the UK Meet Ethanol Blend Mandates 

Many of the top markets for U.S. ethanol continue to hold strong. Canada, our top ethanol export destination, continues to prioritize ethanol as it implements a national E5 mandate.  

U.S. producers will continue to receive favorable treatment under the Clean Fuels Regulations, allowing U.S. ethanol producers to fully participate and be eligible for Canadian credits. However, the decision to enter a rolling annual review of U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) brings uncertainty into this market. 

Within the European Union (EU), the second largest market for U.S. ethanol, continued growth is expected; 19 out of its 27 members now require E10 blending.  

More opportunity lies under the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive that targets to reach 14% renewable transport fuel by 2030, and with no domestic ethanol production, the U.S. has a great opportunity to fill this need. 

Similar to the EU, the United Kingdom (UK) is entirely dependent on foreign ethanol production. Currently, the UK has an E10 mandate in place, but it’s only blending close to 9%—signaling there’s room to grow. 

Columbia A Strong and Potentially Rising Market for U.S. Ethanol 

A market that demonstrates consistency is Colombia. In 2024, U.S. ethanol exports to Colombia reached a record of 133 million gallons, marking Colombia as the fifth-largest global market for U.S. ethanol and the largest in Latin America. Despite challenges of a $0.20 per gallon countervailing duty, the U.S. still supplied around 52% of its ethanol demand. 

In Colombia, USGBC has been hard at work building customer demand, from being the keynote presentation at the Colombian Petroleum and Gas Association forum and sponsoring Colombian stakeholders at the National Ethanol Conference and Global Ethanol Summit to directing engagement with the Ministries of Energy, Transport and Environment and collaboration with fuel retailers.  

With these efforts, exports to Colombia grew by 62 million gallons ($154 million) resulting in a return on investment of $14,682 for every $1 in Market Access Program and Regional Agricultural Promotion Program funds invested into this market.  

The USGBC has created strong relationships to build on this foundation as Colombia continues to implement its E10 mandate and expand into E15. 

Other Target Markets Include Vietnam, Japan and Guatemala 

Opportunity also lies ahead for ethanol in a few key markets. Vietnam, a market Iowa Corn specifically has worked with, began its nationwide E10 blending this June. The potential market with an E10 mandate is 240 million gallons, which compares to last MY of 7.5 million gallons. 

Another rapidly growing market is Japan. Its government is moving towards an E10 blend by 2030 and E20 by 2040. Japan will launch its E10 pilot in Okinawa in 2028. Japan also wants to source low-carbon intensity ethanol for sustainable aviation fuel and marine fuel. 

In July 2026, Guatemala will start its E10 mandate. With a recent trade deal including a 50 million gallon per year U.S. ethanol purchase agreement, this could potentially spark similar demand trends across the Central America region. 

Mexico Remains the Top Destination for U.S. Corn Exports 

On the feed grain side of exports, Mexico remains the top partner, bringing in a record 25 million metric tons of U.S. corn during the 24/25 marketing year.

USGBC has made significant strides in continuing to build relationships in this region. The council participated in the LTA-Mex Regional Buyers Conference, generating $14.2 million in confirmed sales of U.S. yellow corn, white corn, DDGS and corn fermented protein.  

Stan Nelson, farmer from Des Moines County, and Jolene Riessen, farmer from Ida Grove County, participated in the conference to build confidence in Iowa corn quality and capability. These one-on-one relationships helped drive these large numbers.  

Ahead of the conference, USGBC also held several technical and educational programs for Mexican grain dealers. Last year marked a real market win when a USMCA dispute panel ruled that Mexico’s GM corn ban was not science-based. While this was a win with one of our strongest partners, the U.S.’s recent decision to review the USMCA annually creates uncertainty for Mexico. 

Asia and Latin America Are Strong Buyers of U.S. Feed Grain 

Asia also remains a strong export customer for U.S. corn. Japan ranks No. 2 for U.S. corn destinations, with the U.S. making up 98% of Japan’s total market share. DDGS exports remain relatively low, with DDGS representing 1.8% total feed usage in Japan. USGBC has identified this as a future re-education opportunity. 

South Korea is another extremely strong customer on both the U.S. corn side (#4) and DDGS side (#2). Its aquaculture and pet food markets provide potential for continued expansion in this market. USGBC continues to build relationships with the next generation of buyers and address market concerns about GMOs and antibiotics. 

2025 marked a rebound in Taiwan’s market, with U.S. corn reaching 71% of market share. As a heavily import-dependent country, Taiwan is an incredibly strategic partner for the U.S., especially as the U.S. provides the relatability and scalability that Taiwan is looking for to meet its needs.  

Like Asia, Latin America continues to see momentum for U.S. corn build across the region. Latin America makes up 20% of total U.S. exported corn.  

Colombia, No. 3 in U.S. corn exports, also grew its DDGS imports, doubling its purchases in 2025 due to rapid growth within its swine sector.  

Ongoing Efforts to Ink Trade Agreements and Find Buyers for Iowa Corn 

USGBC will continue to focus on developing aquaculture niche markets and highlighting the importance of U.S. corn through a regional campaign “Why Buy USA.” 

These market wins and opportunities are a true testament to the importance of growing international relationships to ultimately build demand for Iowa corn, year after year. Iowa Corn, along with our partners at USGBC, will continue to grow exports, work to remove trade barriers and position U.S. and Iowa corn as the most reliable choice in the global market.