The Corn Cartel: A threat to fair prices, labor rights and clean water

In the heart of America’s farmland, a few powerful corporations dominate the market for one of our most essential crops—corn. This "Corn Cartel," made up of companies like Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Tate and Lyle, and Ingredion, controls the supply chain, influencing everything from prices to labor conditions and environmental impact. Their concentrated power leaves little room for competition, creating a system where corporate profits come before farmers, workers, and the environment.

Corn is a cornerstone of our agricultural system, feeding livestock, fueling cars, and appearing in processed foods. Yet, despite its importance, the corn market is anything but competitive. These agribusiness giants set prices, forcing farmers into compliance. As a result, farmers and workers bear the burden of fluctuating prices and poor working conditions, while the corporations maintain steady profits.

The environmental impact is equally concerning. Industrial corn farming significantly contributes to water pollution due to the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides. This chemical runoff contaminates waterways, leading to toxic algae blooms and creating “dead zones” like the one in the Gulf of Mexico. Local communities suffer from polluted lakes and streams, depriving children of safe outdoor spaces. Iowa faces particularly severe consequences. The state has some of the highest rates of certain cancers, including those tied to agricultural activity, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and prostate cancer, according to the "Cancer in Iowa" report. Additionally, life expectancy in industrial areas, including those near plants like Cargill, tends to be lower, likely due to a combination of environmental pollution and socioeconomic factors, as public health data suggests.

In Cedar Rapids, the impact of corporate control is clear. Cargill’s 2019 expansion into the Rompot neighborhood, approved by the City Council, prioritized corporate interests over community health. The city sold the land to Cargill for just $3,000 per acre, despite similar properties being valued at up to $30,000 per acre. As Cargill expands, local residents face lower life expectancy and higher pollution levels, paying the price—both financially and physically—for corporate growth.

Cargill, ADM, and Ingredion are also major contributors to local carbon emissions. Elected officials often justify their presence by pointing to the “good-paying union jobs” they provide. However, recent labor strikes, including the Ingredion strike in 2022 and the Cargill strike in 2023, reveal that worker welfare may no longer be a priority for these companies. Workers have faced stalled contract negotiations and inadequate protections, despite the claims of good pay.

To counter the Corn Cartel’s outsized power, we need reforms that focus on fair labor practices, environmental protection, and sustainable farming. Stricter regulations on fertilizer use and investment in sustainable practices, such as cover cropping, would reduce environmental damage. Protecting workers’ rights and ensuring fair wages is equally critical.

Breaking the Corn Cartel’s grip on the corn industry is essential to building a resilient, just food system that prioritizes people and the environment over profits. Our future—and the well-being of our communities—depends on it.

Jesse Case is secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 238.