Corn is one of the most important crops in the United States. It is used for food, animal feed, fuel and many other products. Each year, millions of tons of corn are grown across the country. Some states produce more corn than other due to good soil, weather and farming techniques. Let’s explore which states lead the nation in crop production in 2025.
Corn Production in the United States
The United State is the top corn producer in the world. In 2023/2024, it grew around 350 million metric tons of corn, about one-third of the world’s total. Corn is the most widely grown grain globally, with total production reaching nearly 1.15 billion metric tons in 2022/2023.
Top-5 Corn Producing States in the United States
Iowa of United States, with an annual corn production of 2.5 billion bushels, stands as the largest state in terms of corn production. Here are the names of top-5 corn producing states in the United States:
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Nebraska
- Minnesota
- Indiana
Iowa
Iowa grows more corn than any other state in the country. Every year, Iowa produces around 2.5 billion bushels of corn. Almost 90% of the land in Iowa is used for farming. The state has very fertile soil, known as topsoil, which helps crops grow well. Skilled and hardworking farmers also play a big part in Iowa’s success.
Illinois
Illinois comes in second place in corn production. The state is home to McLean Country, which is the highest corn-producing country in the nation. Illinois has rich soils and a climate that is perfect for growing corn. This makes it one of the top contributors to the U.S. corn supply every year.
Nebraska
Nebraska ranks third among corn-producing states. What makes Nebraska special is that it also produces a lot of ethanol, a fuel from corn. The state has around 21,500 corn farmers and 25 ethanol plants. Nebraska’s system connects corn farming, animal farming and ethanol production, making it very efficient.
Minnesota
Minnesota is in fourth place. Most corn in Minnesota is grown in the southeast and southwest areas, where the soil is very good. Farmers often rotate corn with soybeans. Corn in Minnesota is also important for feeding animals like hogs and chickens. This helps both crop and livestock farming in the state.
Indiana
Indiana is the fifth-largest corn-producing state. Over half of Indiana’s cropland is used to grow corn. Corn is the most valuable crop in the state, bringing in more than $3.28 billion in sales. Indiana is also famous for growing popcorn, producing over 20% of all popcorn in the United States.