Exports add strong economic returns to corn and soybean markets
Red meat exports played an important role in supporting the value of corn and soybean production in 2025. An independent study conducted by the Juday Group and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) highlighted strong economic benefits for farmers.
The study found that U.S. beef and pork exports generated about $2.18 billion in value for corn producers. In addition, these exports contributed around $375 million to distillers with dried grains with solubles (DDGS), which are widely used as livestock feed. Soybean producers also benefited, receiving approximately $1 billion in added market value.
These results show how closely linked livestock exports are to grain demand. According to the findings, beef and pork exports accounted for 13.5% of the value per bushel of corn and 10.3% per bushel of soybeans in 2025. This indicates that export demand continues to play a major role in strengthening farm prices.
The study also highlighted the impact on the state level. In Illinois, beef and pork exports used the equivalent of more than 70 million bushels of corn. This added over $301 million in value to the state’s corn industry. Such figures demonstrate the importance of export markets for regional farm economies.
Overall, the findings reinforce that strong export demand for red meat supports not only livestock producers but also crop farmers. By driving feed demand, these exports help improve profitability across the agricultural sector.
Experts note that maintaining access to global markets will be essential for continued growth. As international demand for meat products remains strong, corn and soybean producers may continue to benefit from this important connection between livestock and crop production.
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