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Mississippi is an important producer of agricultural products and exports
worldwide. The State's farm cash receipts totaled $4.3 billion in 2007.
Agricultural sales overseas were estimated at $1.1 billion in 2007. Agricultural
exports help boost farm prices and income, while supporting about 11,722 jobs
both on the farm and off the farm in food processing, storage, and
transportation. Exports are important to Mississippi's agricultural and
statewide economy. Measured as exports divided by farm cash receipts, the
State's reliance on agricultural exports was 25 percent in 2007.
Mississippi’s top five agricultural exports in 2007 were:
cotton -- $289 million
poultry and products -- $254 million
soybeans and products -- $242 million
feed grains and products – $131 million
rice -- $88 million
World demand for these products is increasing, but so is competition among
suppliers. If Mississippi'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 Mississippi Agriculture
As one of the leading states in poultry production, Mississippi benefited
under the Uruguay Round agreement when Korea eliminated its import quotas on
frozen chicken in 1997, and reduced its tariffs to between 18 to 20 percent by
2004. These steps supported a rise in U.S. poultry to 120,000 tons valued at $79
million by 2002. The Philippines opened a tariff-rate quota for poultry meat of
16,701 tons in 1998, which rose to 23,500 tons by 2004.
Under the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR),
all applied import tariffs on U.S. poultry meats that currently range between 30
and 164 percent will be eliminated over 10 to 18 years depending on the product
and country. Each country also commits to adopting a "systems approach" to the
recognition of the U.S. poultry inspection system, thereby eliminating
plant-by-plant inspections and facilitating trade. From 2001 through 2003, U.S.
poultry meat suppliers annually shipped on average 65,550 metric tons valued at
$61 million to all six countries combined.
Mississippi benefits under NAFTA with new rules of origin that increase
demand for U.S. textiles in Canada and Mexico. Mexico’s 10-percent tariff on
cotton has been eliminated. This tariff reduction supports U.S. cotton exports
to Mexico, which rose from 558,000 bales to 2.2 million bales from marketing
year 1995 to 2002. U.S. industry estimates that the Caribbean Basin Initiative
and Africa Growth and Opportunity Act will increase annual cotton sales by
100,000 bales.
Export Success Stories
Using USDA Market Access Program (MAP) funds, Mississippi catfish has been
successfully promoted to Canada’s largest food retailer, Loblaws. The Catfish
Institute (TCI) forged a new marketing alliance with Loblaws’ sister division,
Real Atlantic Superstores (RASS). An initial product launch with RASS included a
chain-wide flyer combined with in-store sampling at 25 of the chain’s 46 stores
in Atlantic Canada. The catfish promotions also featured decorations, product
posters, take-home recipes and educational literature. As a result of this
promotion, over 1,200 pounds of catfish were sold in one weekend.