Corn Finds New Markets Amid Low Prices and High Input Costs

The National Corn Growers Association is exploring alternative uses for corn due to low prices and high input costs. The association has focused on three main areas: maritime fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, and biobased products and biomanufacturing.

Sustainable aviation fuel shows promise for a large market, but more certainty is needed to encourage investment in the industry. Regulations such as the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit have helped drive the market, but a long-term regulatory fix is necessary to bring costs down and efficiency up.

The association estimates that 10% of the maritime market would require three billion bushels of corn, while 10% of the sustainable aviation fuel market would consume 2-3 billion bushels. Meanwhile, 10% of the bioeconomy would consume almost 7 billion bushels.