According to an independent study conducted by the Juday Group and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), red meat exports generated substantial returns for corn producers in 2025.
At the national level, U.S. beef and pork exports contributed $2.18 billion in market value to corn producers and $375 million to distiller’s dried grains (DDGs) in 2025, according to the study. These exports accounted for an estimated 13.5% of the per-bushel value of corn.
In Minnesota, U.S. beef and pork exports generated $217.64 million in market value for corn and $29.55 million for DDGs, according to the study. In 2025, these exports utilized approximately 50.73 million bushels of Minnesota corn and 211,374 tons of Minnesota DDGs.
Each year, as part of our mission to promote opportunities for corn farmers, Minnesota Corn invests corn checkoff funds in organizations that expand markets for corn and corn products both directly and indirectly. This support includes the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), which develops international markets for U.S. red meat.
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