Dr. Robert Wisner estimates that the upper limit on demand for non-GMO corn is around 35% of U.S. corn production and stocks. This value accounts for all corn used in processing, exports, food, and sweetener. A more conservative figure offered by Dr. Wisner is 8-14% of the U.S. corn production and stocks.
Dr. Wisner estimates, based on 1998 utilize patterns, that up to 30% of soybean 1999 production and stocks could be used up by the market for non-GMO crop. The likely primary demand driver is non-GMO soyoil, which constitutes a small portion of the total lbs of soybeans to be produced in 1999. However, soyoil is a by-product from crushing soybeans. Therefore, to meet the potential demand for non-GMO soyoil around 30% of soybean production would have to be non-GMO.
Source: Dr. Robert N. Wisner, University Professor and Extension Economist, Dept. of
Economics, Iowa State University