Coke Cane Sugar Move Sparks Corn Industry Concerns

By Andi Anderson

The U.S. corn industry is raising concerns following reports that Coca-Cola may switch from high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to cane sugar in its products.

The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Coca-Cola agreed to explore cane sugar use in response to health campaign discussions.

Industry analysts warn that replacing HFCS with cane sugar would disrupt supply chains, increase production costs, and require labeling changes.

The Corn Refiners Association said such a switch could lower corn prices by up to 34 cents per bushel, cutting U.S. farm income by $5.1 billion.

John Bode, President of the Corn Refiners Association, emphasized that about 10,000 jobs in corn refining could be threatened. He noted that nearly one-third of refined corn is used for HFCS production, meaning the switch could deeply impact the industry’s workforce.

However, some analysts believe the impact on overall corn demand may be limited. Corn syrup accounts for less than 3% of U.S. corn production, and Coca-Cola's share is a fraction of that.

Even so, experts warn that the symbolic effect of such a move, especially under Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, could influence broader market trends and consumer perceptions.

Stock prices of major corn syrup producers like Archer-Daniels-Midland have already seen fluctuations after the announcement.

The proposed switch also faces strong opposition from the powerful U.S. corn lobby, which has historically defended the industry against sugar import changes and promoted HFCS through subsidies and policy support.

Balancing health campaigns with agriculture interests may prove challenging for the administration. Experts suggest that any move threatening corn syrup could spark significant pushback from farmers and the agricultural community.

As the debate unfolds, the corn industry remains alert to potential policy changes that could reshape the sweetener market and affect thousands of American jobs.

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