Publications

May 31, 2023

Food Policy Bites #6: The introduction of U.S. biofuel mandates in 2005 and the subsequent climb in commodity prices have spurred research investigating the impacts of corn starch ethanol on corn prices. In a recently published article, FAPRI-MU researchers investigate the possibility of such correlation and whether a study is oriented toward food-versus-fuel or greenhouse gas (GHG) emission literature. The average impact on corn price from 38 studies selected for the analysis is found to be $0.23 per bushel, or 5%, per additional billion gallons of corn starch ethanol, and no strong relationships were identified between the impact of ethanol on corn prices and the tendency of a study being published in the food-versus-fuel or GHG literature. While the review exclusively examines simulation studies and refrains from making assertions regarding the effects of U.S. biofuel mandates, its discovery of an absence of publication bias provides reassurance for individuals dependent on scientific studies’ estimates for their decision making, policy analysis or research advancement.

Food Policy Bites are easily-digestible food policy insights supported by economic data analytics and analyses.