Corn Refining Industry Economic Impact

America’s corn refiners make products that are critical in U.S. food and industrial supply chains, adding significant value to U.S. agricultural products.

The corn refining industry features a $61 billion economic output and is responsible for more than 166,000 jobs, strengthening rural America and providing a positive impact on local communities across the country. The industry’s impact can be felt nationwide, but the vast majority of corn refining facilities are in the Corn Belt, offering America’s heartland benefits from the productivity and innovation of corn refining.

The industry directly employs more than 9,700 people with salaries and wages topping $1.5 billion. Further, every job directly supported by the corn refining industry adds an additional 17 jobs across the U.S. contributing an additional $13 billion in incomes.

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U.S. Corn Refining Industry At A Glance – 2025

* Represents plants that grind corn. Additional specialty product refinement facilities operate throughout the U.S.

Total Economic Impact of Corn Refining – 2025

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Food and Agriculture Sector’s Economic Impact

America’s food and agriculture sector feeds the economy and fortifies the nation. These industries are responsible for over $9.5 trillion – or about 20% – of the country’s economic activity, directly supporting more than 24 million jobs (over 15% of U.S. employment). It begins in the rich soil of America’s farms and ranches – nearly two million of them – spread across the heartland and stretching to the coasts, covering two out of every five American acres.

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Total National Economic Impact (including induced and indirect)

Meanwhile, millions of food scientists, production workers, logistics experts, truck drivers, and engineers work in almost 200,000 food manufacturing, processing, and storage facilities to keep our food supply chains strong and fresh, safe food readily available worldwide. The journey may continue at one of the nation’s more than one million restaurant and foodservice locations or an item might make its way from one of approximately 200,000 retail food stores to American homes or gatherings where people enjoy the nation’s bounty.

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