Corn farmers face a fourth consecutive year of losses in 2026 despite producing a record 17 billion bushels in 2025, prompting the National Corn Growers Association to release a the "Demand Strategy for U.S. Corn’s Next 250 Years." The association will pursue three emerging sectors that could consume billions of additional bushels annually.
The organization has set its sights on sustainable aviation fuel, maritime applications and biobased products as production continues to outpace demand growth in traditional markets such as livestock feed and on-road ethanol.
Sustainable aviation fuel
NCGA aims to capture at least 10% of the global sustainable aviation fuel market through ethanol-to-jet technologies, which would require 1.7 billion bushels to fuel 10% of global aviation needs.
The group is advocating for practical implementation of the Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit (45Z) and stronger U.S. engagement with the International Civil Aviation Organization. Current barriers include European Union sustainability requirements that exclude U.S. crop-based biofuels from SAF mandates.
Maritime applications
The maritime sector represents one of the largest untapped opportunities, with 3 billion bushels needed to fuel 10% of global maritime needs. Ship operators have tested 50/50 ethanol-methanol blends and 100% ethanol in engines designed for methanol, with one manufacturer announcing production of an ethanol-powered engine.
NCGA is calling for U.S. government coordination at the International Maritime Organization to establish technology-neutral fuel standards and lifecycle-based accounting that recognizes improvements in U.S. corn production.
Biobased Products
Capturing 10% of the global biochemical and biobased product market would require 6.6 billion bushels to replace petroleum in plastics and other materials. The organization supports federal legislation including the Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act and consistent funding for USDA’s BioPreferred Program.
Current barriers include higher production costs compared to petroleum-based products and lack of infrastructure for scaled production.
Trade and policy
One-third of corn farmers’ income comes from exports. NCGA is pushing for renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and new trade deals targeting India, Vietnam, Southeast Asia and Africa. Increasing corn and ethanol exports by 10% would represent an additional 400 million bushels of demand.
The organization notes that roughly one-third of corn processed for ethanol returns to the feed supply as distillers dried grains, maintaining its role in the food chain while 99% of U.S. corn is field corn not meant for direct human consumption.
