Overview
U.S. and global trade are greatly affected by the growth and stability
of world markets. Changes in world population, economic growth,
and income are most likely to alter global food demand. Other
factors affecting trade are global supplies and prices,
changes in exchange rates, government support of agriculture,
and trade protection policies.
With the productivity of U.S. agriculture growing faster than
domestic food and fiber demand, U.S. farmers and agricultural firms
rely heavily on export markets to sustain prices and revenues.
Exports have exceeded imports by a large margin since 1973. Historically, U.S. imports have
increased steadily, as demand for diversification in food expands.
U.S. consumers benefit from imports because imports expand food
variety, stabilize year-round supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables,
and temper increases in food prices.
Features
Latest U.S.
Agricultural Trade Data presents USDA's
summary of calendar year, fiscal
year, year-to-date, and current monthly value of U.S.
agricultural exports, imports, and trade balance. U.S.
Agricultural Trade Data Update provides detailed
monthly updates on the quantity and value of U.S. farm
export and import shipments. Previous issues
of U.S.
Agricultural Trade Update, which ceased publication
in February 2007, provide additional historical analysis.
Outlook
for U.S. Agricultural Trade summarizes USDA's most
recent 1-year projections for U.S. agricultural trade
value and volume, as well as projections of selected
countries' total trade with the United States.
Supplementary Periodic Trade
Articles associated with the U.S. Agricultural
Trade Update series summarize U.S. agricultural trade
and cover topics such as:
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