Strong Domestic Demand for Corn and Soybeans Continues in August
Domestic demand for corn and soybeans remained robust in August, according to the latest USDA report. Corn consumption for ethanol and other uses reached 528 million bushels, marking a 4% increase from August 2025, despite a slight dip from July. Fuel ethanol production alone accounted for 478 million bushels, up 4% year-over-year.
Soybean processing saw 210 million bushels crushed in August, down from July but still higher than the 198 million bushels crushed in August 2025. This crush yielded 2.45 billion pounds of crude soybean oil. Additionally, corn processing generated 1.85 million tons of distillers dried grains with solubles, with distillers’ grains totaling 1.28 million tons, a 5% increase from the previous year.
The data highlights the significant role of ethanol plants and soybean crushers in supporting domestic demand for major row crops as harvest supplies enter the market. This trend provides farmers with another reliable outlet for their crops.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist, noted that the August numbers underscore the continued strength in domestic processing demand for corn and soybeans.