Corn Wet-Milling Market Report 2026

The corn wet-milling market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $83.64 billion in 2025 to $88.17 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of food and beverage processing industries, growth in animal feed production, rising demand for corn-derived sweeteners, increased ethanol blending mandates, availability of large-scale wet-milling facilities.

The corn wet-milling market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $108.85 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for bio-based chemicals, rising focus on sustainable starch production, expansion of industrial fermentation applications, growing investments in processing efficiency, increasing adoption of advanced separation technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include improved efficiency in corn fractionation processes, rising adoption of automated steeping and milling systems, growing demand for high-purity starch and sweeteners, expansion of ethanol and bio-based byproducts production, enhanced focus on water and energy optimization.

The growing demand for corn-based products is driving the expansion of the corn wet-milling market in the future. Corn-based products include items made from corn, such as corn flakes and flours. As the demand for these products rises, the need for corn wet-milling increases, as this process enhances product purity. For example, in February 2024, the International Grains Council (IGC), a London-based intergovernmental organization, reported that global corn consumption reached 1.17 billion tonnes in 2022/23, while corn production was 1.15 billion tonnes in the same period. Thus, the increasing demand for corn-based products is expected to propel the growth of the corn wet-milling market.

Leading companies in the corn wet-milling market are emphasizing technological innovations, such as clean-label functional native starches, to address the growing demand for natural, “label-friendly” food ingredients and the increased use of corn-derived starch in processed foods, clean-label dairy/alternative-dairy products, and plant-based applications. Clean-label functional native starch is extracted and processed from corn, is non-GMO, minimally modified, and can be labeled simply as “corn starch” or “corn flour,” unlike traditional modified starches that require chemical or physical alterations to enhance functional properties such as thickening, gelling, or stabilizing under heat and freeze/thaw conditions. For example, in February 2024, Ingredion Incorporated, a US-based specialty-ingredients company, launched NOVATION Indulge 2940, a clean-label, non-GMO functional native corn starch designed to provide desirable gelling and mouthfeel for dairy, alternative-dairy desserts, puddings, and other applications. This starch consists of corn-derived native starch granules, processed through proprietary methods to deliver gel strength, viscosity, and texture comparable to modified starches, enabling formulators to replace additives like gelatin or hydrocolloids. Its key features include clean-label declaration, improved texture and mouthfeel, reliable supply, cost stability, and suitability for plant-based and clean-label formulations. Applications include yogurts, puddings, vegan cheeses, dairy desserts, sauces, and other products requiring simple, recognizable ingredient lists.

In March 2025, Cargill Inc., a US-based food processing company, partnered with Saatvik Agro Processors to expand its manufacturing presence in India and secure a reliable, locally sourced supply of starch derivatives to meet growing domestic demand. Saatvik Agro Processors is an India-based manufacturer operating a corn-milling facility producing starch derivatives for confectionery, dairy, infant formula, and other food applications.

Major companies operating in the corn wet-milling market are Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Incorporated, Ingredion Incorporated, Tate & Lyle PLC, Roquette Frères SA, Grain Processing Corporation, Agrana Beteiligungs-AG, China Agri-Industries Holding Limited, Global Bio-Chem Technology Group Company Limited, National Starch LLC, Penford Corporation, Cereal Ingredients Inc., LifeLine Foods LLC, Bunge Limited, The Andersons Inc., Flint Hills Resources LP, Valero Energy Corporation, GreenField Specialty Alcohols Inc., Pacific Ethanol Inc., Green Plains Inc., Roquette America Inc., Ingredion Mexico S.A. de C.V.

North America was the largest region in the corn wet-milling market share in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the corn wet-milling market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the corn wet-milling market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The corn wet-milling market consists of sales of heating and cooling systems, dryers, and utility equipment. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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