The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has released its 2024/2025 Corn Harvest Quality Report, highlighting exceptional quality metrics for the 2024 U.S. corn crop. This 14th annual survey reveals that the harvest is projected to be the third largest on record, with unprecedented quality indicators that promise to strengthen the U.S. position in the global corn market.
Key findings from the report include:
Record-breaking quality: The 2024 crop achieved the highest 100-kernel weight in the report's history, along with lower broken corn and foreign material (BCFM), lower total damage, and lower moisture compared to the last five years.
Exceptional yield: Favorable growing conditions contributed to the highest projected average yield on record, with total production estimated at 384.64 million metric tons (15,143 million bushels).
Superior grading: 89.2% of samples met all requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade corn, with 96.2% meeting U.S. No. 2 grade standards.
Impressive test weight: At 58.9 pounds per bushel (75.8 kg/hl), the crop achieved the highest test weight value in the report's history.
Low contamination: 98.9% of samples tested below FDA action levels for aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol, with 98.3% below the strictest guidance level for fumonisin.
Verity Ulibarri, USGC chairwoman, emphasized the importance of this annual report in providing transparency and enabling informed decisions for potential buyers. The study, based on 620 yellow corn samples from 12 top corn-producing and exporting states, offers a comprehensive view of the crop's quality at the point of origin.
The USGC plans to present these findings to buyers worldwide through a series of events in the first quarter of 2025, aiming to set clear expectations for corn quality in the current marketing year. This data, coupled with updates on U.S. corn grading and handling processes, will provide importers and end-users with valuable insights into the U.S. corn export system.
As the agricultural sector navigates global market challenges, this report underscores the strength and reliability of the U.S. corn crop, potentially boosting confidence among international buyers and reinforcing the United States' position as a leading corn exporter.
