The United States leads the world in corn production, usually growing from one-third to almost half of the world's total annual crop. The great Corn Belt of the Middle West is the center of corn production. The area includes northern Kansas, eastern Nebraska, parts of southern South Dakota and Minnesota, Iowa, northern Missouri, most of Illinois and Indiana, and the western half of Ohio. Corn is grown to some extent in almost every state in the United States.

The crop in China is especially important in areas too far north for rice culture. Brazil produces and exports large quantities, and Mexico and France are also major corn producers. Other corn-growing countries include India, Romania, Argentina, Indonesia, Italy, and Canada.