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Michigan is an important producer and exporter of agricultural products.
The State's farm cash receipts totaled $5.7 billion in 2007, and its
agricultural exports were estimated at $1.2 billion. Agricultural exports help
boost farm prices and income, while supporting about 12,788 jobs both on the
farm and off the farm in food processing, storage, and transportation. Exports
are important to Michigan's agricultural and statewide economy. Measured as
exports divided by farm cash receipts, the State's reliance on agricultural
exports was 21 percent in 2007.
Michigan's top agricultural exports in 2007 were:
soybeans and products -- $290 million
feed grains and products -- $242 million
fruits and preparations -- $122 million
vegetables -- $106 million
World demand for these products is increasing, but so is competition among
suppliers. If Michigan's farmers, ranchers, and food processors are to compete
successfully for the export opportunities of the 21st century, they need fair
trade and more open access to growing global markets.
How Trade Agreements Benefit Michigan Agriculture
As a soybean producer, Michigan benefits under the Uruguay Round agreement as
South Korea reduced its tariffs on soybean oil by 14.5 percent from 1995 to
2004. Thus far, the tariff reduction has supported a threefold increase in
export volume. The Philippines reduced its tariffs on soybean meal from 10 to 3
percent during the same period. China’s accession to the WTO has helped to raise
U.S. exports of soybeans to that country by over six fold from 1999 to 2004,
surpassing $2.4 billion this year.
Michigan, a large feed corn producer, benefited under the NAFTA when Mexico
converted its import licensing system for corn to a transitional tariff-rate
quota that will remain in effect until 2008. Under this system, the volume of
U.S. corn exports to Mexico has risen over 42 percent since 1994, reaching 120
million bushels valued at $585 million in 2002.
Under the U.S. – Australian FTA, Michigan’s vegetable industry will benefit.
Australia’s 5-percent tariff would be eliminated on a number of U.S. vegetable
exports including mushrooms, potatoes (fresh, dried and flakes), sweet corn
(frozen and canned), and spinach. From 2001 through 2003, U.S. suppliers
annually shipped on average $21.5 million worth of vegetable and vegetable
products to Australia.
Export Success Stories
As a major soybean producer, Michigan has benefited from the efforts of the
American Soybean Association (ASA), in partnership with USDA, and various
producer organizations to increase demand for U.S. soybeans and meal in a number
of key markets in Asia. For example, ASA training programs for Taiwanese tofu
and soymilk producers has enabled them to improve the quality and price of their
products for high-end consumers. As a result, there was a 50 percent growth in
the consumption of specialty soybeans between 1997 and 2003 and U.S. soybeans
make up almost 98 percent of the food soybean market.
As a result of USDA's Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC)
program, the Michigan apple industry began shipping the first Michigan apples to
Mexico on February 27, 2004. As of June 2004, approximately 12,000 cartons,
valued at $250,000, have been shipped. In the 2004/2005-season, trade is
expected to reach almost $2.1 million. The breakthrough was a result of the TASC
program facilitating cooperation on the part of the concerned parties.