U.S. beef and pork exports generated significant value for corn and soybean producers in 2025, according to an independent study by the Juday Group released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
The study found that beef and pork exports accounted for $2.18 billion in market value to U.S. corn producers, $374.7 million to distiller’s dried grains with solubles and $1 billion to soybean producers during 2025.
Researchers estimated that beef and pork exports contributed a total economic impact equal to 13.5% of the value of each bushel of corn and 10.3% of the value of each bushel of soybeans during the year.
USMEF Chair-Elect Dave Bruntz, a Nebraska producer who raises corn, soybeans and cattle, said the findings demonstrate the importance of export demand in supporting feed usage. According to the study, red meat exports accounted for more than 500 million bushels of corn usage and nearly 100 million bushels of soybean usage in 2025.
Corn and soybean growers support U.S. pork, beef and lamb promotion through checkoff-funded market development programs conducted by USMEF.
USMEF Senior Vice President John Hinners said the organization commissions the study annually to measure the value beef and pork exports add to the red meat supply chain and broader agricultural economy.
Using 2025 statistics from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and data compiled by the Juday Group, the study estimated beef and pork exports accounted for 508.4 million bushels of U.S. corn usage in 2025. Based on an average corn price of $4.29 per bushel, that volume represented a market value of $2.18 billion.
The study also found beef and pork exports accounted for 2.68 million tons of DDGS usage, valued at $374.7 million based on an average 2025 DDGS price of $139.82 per ton.
For soybeans, pork exports accounted for 98.8 million bushels of soybean usage, equating to a market value of $1 billion at an average soybean price of $10.17 per bushel in 2025.
Researchers estimated pork exports added $1.05 per bushel in soybean value during 2025, while beef and pork exports added an estimated $0.58 per bushel in corn value.
Source: U.S. Meat Export Federation, "Study Quantifies How Red Meat Exports Boost Domestic Feed Demand for Corn and Soybeans"