Ag Trade Balance Tips in Favor of U.S. Farmers
Exports set new record at $61 billion while imports reach near $55 billion.
Compiled by staff
Published: Feb 14, 2005
Final trade numbers for calendar year 2004 show the value of U.S. agricultural exports equaling $61.3 billion for 2004, about $1.7 billion over calendar year 2003, according to USDA's Economic Research Service's latest U.S. Agricultural Trade Update.
The record levels left an agricultural trade balance at $7.3 billion for calendar year 2004, compared with $12.2 billion last year. The report highlights that $37.4 billion of imports compete with U.S. products (those products which are not produced in the United States such as coffee, banana and tea). However, " P says.< report the imports,? agricultural competitive of because lost implicitly output farm billion $18.1 offset than more exports with associated $39.5 sector?s>
Gains in export values for wheat, corn and cotton basically offset losses in red meats and soybeans.
The report also outlined ways U.S. agricultural trade boosts the overall economy. For instance, every farm export dollar earned stimulated another $1.54 in business activity in calendar year 2003. "The $59.6 billion of agricultural in 2003 produced an additional $92 billion in economic activity. The $92 billion in 2003 supporting activity included $16.8 billion from the farm sector, $5.4 billion from the food processing sector, $20.0 billion from other manufacturing sectors, $14 billion from trade and transportation, and $35.6 billion from other services," ERS reports.
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Tagged: farm, agricultural trade, usda, wheat, soybeans
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