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Wyoming produces agricultural products that are exported worldwide. In 2007,
the State's total cash receipts from farming reached $1 billion and the State's
overseas sales were estimated at $61 million. These exports help boost farm
prices and income, while supporting jobs both on the farm and off the farm in
food processing, storage, and transportation.
Wyoming's top agricultural exports in 2007 were:
feeds and fodders -- $14 million
feed grains and products -- $11 million
wheat and products -- $10 million
live animals and meat -- $9 million
planting seeds -- $7 million
World demand for agricultural and wood products is increasing, but so is
competition among suppliers. If Wyoming's industries are to compete successfully
for export opportunities in the 21st century, they need fair trade and
more open access to growing global markets.
How Trade Agreements Benefit Wyoming Agriculture
Wyoming benefited under NAFTA, when Mexico converted its import licensing
system for corn to a transitional tariff-rate quota which will remain in effect
until 2008. Under this new 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 Uruguay Round, the Philippines converted its import
ban on corn to tariffs. Since then, the United States has exported well over 1
million tons of corn to the Philippines.
Wyoming benefited from limits set on subsidized wheat exports during the
Uruguay Round. These limits influenced the EU's decision to make changes to its
Common Agricultural Policy and ultimately lowered internal EU market prices to
world price levels. Annual EU wheat exports dropped from 22 million tons to
about 14 million tons as lower market prices stimulated domestic use. Meanwhile,
annual EU wheat imports jumped from 1.5 million tons to 7 million tons as the
levied margin of protection fell. This translates to an 11 percent reduction in
global export competition and a 5.5-million ton increase in EU wheat imports, a
third of which is supplied by the United States.