Contents
U.S.: Domestic Use of Corn, by purpose
YearFeed and residual,
in million bushels		Food, seed and industrial,
in million bushels		Total,
in million bushels
20235,6756,79012,465
20225,4866,55912,045
20215,6716,57512,427
20205,6076,46712,074
20195,2756,79012,065
20185,4326,79112,223
20175,3047,05612,360
20165,4706,88512,355
20155,1146,64811,763
20145,2806,60111,881
20135,0406,49311,534
20124,3156,03810,353
20114,5196,42410,943
20104,7776,42611,202
20095,1015,96111,062
20085,1335,02510,207
20075,8584,44210,300
20065,5403,5419,081
20056,1153,0199,134
20046,1552,6878,842
20035,7952,5378,332
20025,5632,3407,903
20015,8642,0467,911
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: 2001 to 2023
  • Published: Jan 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Rapid Growth in Food, Seed, and Industrial Use

Between 2001 and 2023, the use of corn for food, seed, and industrial purposes saw a significant increase from 2,046 million bushels to 6,790 million bushels. This reflects a more than threefold rise, highlighting a shifting emphasis towards these applications over time.

Overall Increase in Total Domestic Use

Total domestic use of corn in the United States has expanded consistently, growing from 7,911 million bushels in 2001 to 12,465 million bushels by 2023. This upward trend, amounting to a 57.6% increase, underscores a growing demand for corn across various sectors.

Fluctuations in Feed and Residual Use

Feed and residual use of corn has experienced fluctuations over the years, with a notable increase from 5,115 million bushels in 2005 to a peak of 6,175 million bushels in 2004, before settling at 5,675 million bushels in 2023. These changes reflect varying patterns in livestock feeding practices and residual uses.

Dramatic Shift in Usage Priorities

The proportion of corn allocated to food, seed, and industrial uses versus feed and residual saw a dramatic shift, with food, seed, and industrial usage more than doubling from 2,046 million bushels in 2001 to 6,790 million bushels in 2023, while feed and residual usage saw a more modest growth. This highlights a strategic reallocation of corn resources towards industrial applications and human consumption over livestock feed.

Significant Year-on-Year Growth Trends

Analyzing year-on-year trends, the largest single-year increase in total domestic use occurred between 2006 and 2007, when total use jumped by 1,219 million bushels. This surge is indicative of the volatile nature of corn demand, driven by factors such as biofuel production increases, dietary trends, and global market dynamics.

Remarkable Recovery from 2012's Low Point

The data marks 2012 as a year of significant decline, with total domestic use dropping to 10,353 million bushels, the lowest in the observed period. Since then, there has been a remarkable recovery, with 2023 witnessing a total use of 12,465 million bushels, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of the U.S. corn market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What trend is observed in the total domestic use of corn in the U.S?

There was a consistent growth in total domestic use, increasing from 7,911 million bushels in 2001 to 12,465 million bushels by 2023, a 57.6% increase.

When was the largest single-year increase in total domestic use of corn observed?

The largest single-year increase occurred between 2006 and 2007, when total use surged by 1,219 million bushels.

Terms and Definitions

Corn, also known as maize, is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico. It is now grown in many parts of the world and serves as a staple food in many regions, and is also used for various industrial and commercial purposes including the production of ethanol, sweeteners, and animal feed.

This broadly refers to the cultivation of corn within the United States. The nation is one of the world's top corn producers and the crop plays a significant role in its agricultural sector. A considerable portion of the corn produced in the U.S. is used domestically for various reasons including consumption as food, industrial uses, and animal feed.

Domestic use refers to the consumption of a product within the country of its production, as opposed to exporting it for use in other countries. In the context of the U.S. corn industry, domestic use can encompass multiple categories including use as human food, livestock feed, and industrial applications such as the production of biofuels and other products.

This refers to the use of corn as a primary food source for livestock, including cattle, pigs, and poultry. Corn is a high-energy grain that is often a major part of livestock feed mixtures.

Ethanol production involves the transformation of corn into a form of alcohol called ethanol. This is often used as a biofuel, primarily for powering vehicles. The production of ethanol from corn is a major domestic use of the crop in the U.S.

Corn syrup production involves processing corn to extract its sugars, resulting in a thick, sweet syrup. This syrup is used in many food products as a sweetener. It is one of the prominent uses of corn in the food industry.

A staple food is a food that is eaten routinely and in such quantities that it constitutes a large proportion of a diet and supplies large amounts of energy and nutritional value. Corn, in various forms, is a staple food in many cultures worldwide.

Biofuel is a type of fuel that is derived from organic material, usually plant-based. Ethanol, produced from corn, is a commonly used biofuel and an alternative to fossil fuels.
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