U.S. Agricultural Exports Exceed Imports
by Nearly $14 Billion in 2001

The United States exported farm and food products worth $53 billion in 2001, a $2.1 billion increase over last year in spite of decreased demand following the September terrorist attacks.

This year's U.S. agricultural imports totaled $39 billion, an increase of $106 million from last year. While U.S. imports from most countries declined, those from Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand were sharply higher. Larger purchases of animals and red meat, vegetables and malt beverages accounted for most of the increase.

With exports exceeding imports by $13.9 billion, the United States maintained a favorable balance of trade in agriculture. Exports of high-value products led the increase for the second straight year, with sales of $35.3 billion. Export gains were highest for hides and skins, feeds and fodders, poultry, sugar and tropical products, tree nuts, fruits and dairy products. Livestock and poultry sales gains were largest in Mexico, Russia and China. Feed, horticulture and tropical product exports were greatest to Mexico, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Within the bulk category, commodity sales were down $77 million. The largest declines occurred in wheat, corn, rice and tobacco. However, sales of cotton, soybeans and other coarse grains were above last year's figures.

More information about the U.S. share of world markets is available from the USDA Economic Research Service web site at www.ers.usda.gov.

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Seeds for Success A Biannual Newsletter on Agriculture in the Classroom