John Bode, CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, says federal policy is falling short when it comes to protecting market access for U.S. agricultural producers. He told Brownfield the industry needs clearer, evidence-based tools to shore up demand for corn products at home and abroad. Risk-based measures urged is how Bode summarized the type of policy response he wants to see from Washington.
Bode said domestic demand for corn-derived products has been disrupted by attacks on seed oils and other ingredients that, in his view, are not grounded in science. He asked for more data-driven responses to counter misinformation and support products that rely on corn inputs, including ingredients used across food and industrial markets. The comments reflect broader concern among processors that consumer and regulatory pressure can quickly shift demand.
Policy and domestic demand
Beyond domestic issues, Bode said U.S. trade strategy is a major weakness for agricultural exporters. He pointed to a multiyear slide in export values and warned that the U.S. has been outpaced by trading partners who continue to lock up new market access. Industry leaders, he said, need a sustained federal effort to pursue trade deals and reduce barriers to keep U.S. commodity and value‑added exports competitive. 10% export decline was the figure Bode cited for how much export value has slipped over the past decade.
Bode acknowledged past federal trade work while pressing for renewed momentum to expand markets for corn products. He said the U.S. must do more than defend existing sales; it must actively negotiate reciprocal market access and support exporters facing foreign regulatory or tariff challenges. The Corn Refiners Association, which represents processors and refiners of U.S. corn, is pressing officials to prioritize those access efforts.
Trade and exports
He pointed to a series of reciprocal agreements negotiated previously as a hopeful sign that trade policy can boost demand overseas. Bode named 18 reciprocal agreements negotiated earlier as evidence that negotiated access can lead to market opportunities, and he said the industry is optimistic those deals will translate into stronger export demand. His remarks call for a combination of trade negotiation, science-based communication and policy tools aimed at stabilizing both domestic and international markets.
Bode’s comments to Brownfield underline the industry’s view that policy gaps — on both trade and domestic product support — are directly affecting corn refiners and broader agricultural markets. He urged federal leaders to prioritize risk‑based, data‑driven measures and a proactive trade agenda to restore lost market ground.
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