USDA projects slowdown in corn ethanol growth rate; using 35 percent of US corn crop by 2020

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released projections that show a significant slowdown in the growth of corn ethanol over the next 10 years. The USDA study found that, by 2020, the corn ethanol industry will utilize 35 percent of the US corn crop and will supply nine percent of US gasoline consumption, and projected that corn prices will be higher than historical averages but less than the record prices seen in 2008. The study also found that the US will continue to provide 55-60 percent of the world’s corn exports.

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