Popcorn

Popcorn is a globally recognized snack food made from a specific variety of corn kernel which expands and puffs when heated. While it originated thousands of years ago in the Americas, particularly within indigenous cultures in Mexico and the United States, it has evolved into a massive commercial industry. Today, it is produced by a wide variety of independent and multinational agricultural companies.

Because popcorn is a raw agricultural commodity, its manufacturing country typically matches the agricultural output of the region where it is sold. The United States is the world's leading producer of corn intended for popping, followed by countries like Brazil, Argentina, and China. Commercial brands like Orville Redenbacher, Jolly Time, and Act II dominate the retail market, each with their own complex supply chains and historical ownership structures ranging from legacy family businesses to modern food conglomerates.