Responding to a marketing opportunity, the Council leveraged Market Access Program (MAP) funds to promote U.S. corn exports to the EU and the U.K., resulting in a 488% increase in U.S. corn exports over the previous Marketing Year, an increase valued at $122 million or 681 TMT of additional exports.
The Council’s strategic marketing initiatives, focused on highlighting the superior quality, efficient logistics, and proven performance (specifically, improved Feed Conversion Rate (FCR) in broiler diets) of U.S. corn.
Starting in 2024 and continuing into 2025, the Council executed targeted activities to engage key importers and end-users of feed grains and co-products in both Spain and the U.K.
In October 2024, the Council hosted four representatives from leading Spanish and U.K. importing companies at the Export Exchange 2024 Conference. These participants gained invaluable insights into U.S. corn production and the U.S. export system through dedicated post-conference tours across the U.S. This direct engagement facilitated crucial networking opportunities with numerous U.S. feed grain and co-product exporters.
Building on this momentum, in January 2025, the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) office organized two highly impactful corn quality rollout events – one in Belfast, U.K., and another in Madrid, Spain. These events served as platforms to intensely promote the competitive advantages of U.S. corn, particularly emphasizing the superior FCR for broiler producers, substantiated by the Council’s research studies.
These targeted campaigns underscore the Council’s ongoing commitment to providing essential information and strengthening relationships with importers and end-users, ensuring these markets are primed to capitalize on immediate opportunities.
The results are clear: the EU-27 climbed to become the ninth-largest export partner for U.S. corn in MY 2023/24, with total exports valued at $194 million. Spain was a dominant buyer, accounting for 67% ($131 million) of that total. Our impact is even more evident in MY 2024/25 (through March 2025), where the EU is now the fifth-largest export market, with total exports soaring to $580 million. Spain continues to be the largest buyer, representing 62% ($360 million) of this value.
In MY 2023/24 and up to March 2025, the Council strategically invested $70,968 in MAP funds in Spain and the U.K.. Based on the estimated export value of $122 million in the last marketing year, these focused marketing efforts have delivered a ROI of $1,719 for every $1 of MAP funds invested, significantly increasing corn sales across the EU, especially in Spain and the U.K..
