CORN

Corn, scientifically known as Zea mays, is a cereal grain and one of the most widely cultivated crops globally. Domesticated in Mesoamerica thousands of years ago, corn has become a staple food source and industrial commodity of immense economic importance. The plant produces large kernels on cobs that can be consumed directly as food, processed into flour and meal, or refined into oils, starches, and sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup. Beyond human consumption, corn serves as a primary animal feed ingredient, supporting livestock and poultry industries worldwide. Corn is also utilized in numerous industrial applications including biofuels, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics. The United States is the world's largest corn producer, followed by China and Brazil, with global production reaching over one billion metric tons annually. Corn futures contracts have been traded on commodity exchanges for over a century, making it one of the most liquid agricultural commodities and a critical benchmark for global food prices and agricultural economics.