US agricultural exports hit record high in 2013

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its final tally for agricultural exports in fiscal year 2013, showing a new record of $140.9 billion.
"American agriculture achieved record exports once again in fiscal year 2013, and the period 2009-2013 stands as the strongest five-year period for agricultural exports in our nation's history," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "In fact, compared to the previous five-year period from 2004-2008, U.S. agricultural exports from 2009-2013 increased by a total of more than $230 billion - and the average volume of bulk commodities exported increased by nearly 4 million tons per year during that same period.
"We need to remain focused on keeping up the incredible momentum we've seen over the past five years," said Vilsack, who focused on the importance of putting through a new Farm Bill. "First and foremost, Congress needs to pass a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill to continue the trade promotion programs that helped American agriculture achieve these results," he said. "These trade promotion efforts return $35 in economic benefits for every dollar invested - a great value for producers who gain access to additional market opportunities abroad, as well as rural communities that depend on a solid agriculture sector to create and support jobs."
A new Farm Bill, said Vilsack, would complement historic work by the Obama Administration to break down barriers to U.S. products and achieve new agreements to expand exports. "An effort that continues today as we work toward new agreements with the European Union and a number of Asian nations," he said. "With record agricultural exports supporting about one million American jobs, we can't afford to lose the incredible momentum of recent years - and that's why we need Congress to pass a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill as soon as possible."

Agriculture must be part of EU trade talks, says ag secretary

The U.S. and the European Union are launching negotiations to a trans-Atlantic trade agreement, and U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack is pushing that agriculture be a key commerce area covered in those talks.
“I expressed in the presence of the President and the U.S. trade representative a deep concern that the negotiations take place with the full understanding that agriculture’s got to be on the table," said Vilsack. "It cannot be put to the side and not discussed and not resolved, because there are serious differences of opinion obviously where we are and the EU is.”
President Barack Obama announced plans to pursue a trans-Atlantic trade agreement during his February 12 State of the Union address.
At the present time, the U.S. faces issues hindering trade with Europe, including bans on U.S. beef, as well as biotech crops and food. Vilsack said there are great and realistic opportunities for U.S. agriculture, if those limitations are reduced or eliminated. “I think they’re slowly coming to the realization that we’ve got a heck of a challenge as humankind to feed this ever-increasing world population, and we better start embracing science and use it to the extent we can,” he said.

US agriculture exports to reach record $145 billion in 2013

Fiscal 2013 U.S. agricultural exports are forecast at a record $145 billion, up $1.5 billion from the August forecast and $9.2 billion above fiscal 2012 exports, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest report.
The forecast for poultry, livestock and dairy is down $100 million on lower poultry, beef, and cattle exports. Grain and feed exports are forecast down $1.9 billion, mostly due to lower corn exports. Oilseed exports are up $3.3 billion on much higher volumes and record prices, while cotton exports are forecast down $200 million in part due to reduced Chinese demand. Horticultural exports are unchanged at a record $32 billion.
U.S. imports are also projected to hit records, at $115 billion in fiscal 2013, up 11 percent from 2012’s imports of $103.4 billion but down $2 billion from the August forecast for 2013. The reduced forecast for 2013 is largely due to significantly lower prices for tropical oils, processed fruits and vegetables, sugar, coffee, rubber and cocoa, according to the USDA.

Poultry, livestock, dairy
The fiscal 2013 export forecast for poultry, livestock and dairy is lowered $100 million to $29.8 billion, with losses in poultry, beef, and cattle outweighing gains. Despite higher broiler meat exports, poultry exports are forecast down $100 million to $6.1 billion, due to lower unit values and volumes for turkey meat and poultry offals. Beef exports are forecast at $4.8 billion, down $150 million as marginally higher prices do not offset slightly lower volumes. Tight supplies on lower U.S. production constrain shipments despite strong global demand. Exports of dairy products are forecast higher by 4 percent to $5 billion as stronger international prices are expected to offset lower volume sales, particularly of cheese, skim milk powder, and butterfat, said the USDA report.
Although reduced $100 million from August, the beef import forecast for 2013 shows a 13-percent gain in import value over 2012 as domestic beef supplies tighten and demand for processing-type beef remains strong. Fewer cattle imports are expected in 2013 as cattle inventories in Mexico are lower and herds are rebuilt in Canada. However, the forecast is unchanged from August. The pork import estimate for 2013 is lowered $30 million from the August forecast to $1.3 billion because of relatively tight exportable supplies in Canada, the top U.S. supplier. Similarly, expected swine imports are trimmed by $24 million. 

Market Access Program cuts may hurt US agriculture's ability to compete in international marketplace

Eighty members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports have opposed an amendment by Senator Tom Coburn to S. 3240 (Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012) to reduce annual funding for the Market Access Program by $40 million and prohibit the use of program funds for certain activities.
“Reducing funding for MAP would seriously undermine U.S. agriculture’s ability to compete in this highly competitive international marketplace,” said the organizations. “It is a very efficient, cost-effective program.” They also said that under the program, participants must carefully evaluate and adjust all export market development activities every year. The participants submit plans to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, which reviews every promotional activity to determine their eligibility and ability to help increase demand for U.S. agricultural exports. This analysis, in conjunction with feedback from Foreign Agricultural Service overseas officers, determines whether activities merit funding.
The program “has been tremendously successful and extremely cost-effective in helping maintain and expand U.S. agricultural exports, protect and create American jobs, strengthen farm income and help to offset the government-supported advantages afforded foreign competitors,” said the organizations. “We strongly urge that MAP continue to be funded in S. 3240 at no less than $200 million annually, which is the same level as in the current Farm Bill.” 

USDA predicts farm exports will reach $126.5B in 2011

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a forecast of $126.5 billion in farm exports for 2011.
This number exceeds the current record for a fiscal year (2008 brought in $114.9 billion) and tops the 2010 number by $17.8 billion. "Today’s forecast demonstrates that the demand for U.S. food and agriculture around the world is stronger than ever," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Sales are surging in China, Southeast Asia, North America and the Middle East. In fact, today’s forecast sees China pulling within $500 million of Canada, the United States’ top export market in fiscal year 2011."
According to Vilsack, agriculture is one of the only major sectors in the U.S. economy with a trade surplus—an estimated $41 billion in fiscal year 2010.

Canadian Minister of Agriculture and US Secretary of Agriculture conduct meeting

Canadian Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently met to discuss the countries' joint agricultural interests, reported the USDA.
Topics on deck included global agricultural trade, border flows, regulatory approaches and food safety. "Canada and the United States already exchange over CA$34 billion in agricultural products every year," said Ritz. "Working together, we can break down barriers overseas and expand the opportunities for Canadian and American farmers throughout the world."
The two also discussed cooperative efforts on priority markets for beef and other high-value agriculture products and the revitalization of the rural economy. Key points included the need to promote a strong renewable fuels sector in both countries and implement and strengthen the organic equivalency standards and the Global Research Alliance.

US agriculture exports projected to grow

A new government report forecast the trade surplus in agriculture to reach $28 billion, the second highest level achieved.
The news follows a historic six-month pace by agricultural exports, with $59 billion in sales, 14% higher than last year. Exports to China grew by nearly $3 billion during this period to $10.6 billion.
Outlining the U.S. Agricultural Trade Outlook Forecast for fiscal year 2010, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said this means 8,000 to 9,000 domestic jobs for every $1 billion in exports. U.S. farmers and producers are expected to reach $104.5 billion in sales, up $8 billion over last year.

USDA projects record corn crop

The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects corn production at a record 13.2 billion bushels, according to the U.S. Grains Council.
This is up from 12.9 billion bushels projected in the USDA December forecast and 1% above the previous record of 13.0 billion bushels set in 2007. Corn exports are projected at 2.1 billion bushels, unchanged from last month and up from the estimated 1.9 billion bushels exported in 2008/2009.
According to the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates released by the USDA on Jan. 12, the U.S. corn yield is estimated to hit a record 165.2 bushels per acre in 2009. This is up 2.3 bushels from the December forecast and 4.9 bushels above the previous record of 160.3 bushels per acre set in 2004.
The USDA projects sorghum production at 383 million bushels, 140 million of which will be exported.

Obama names chief agricultural negotiator

President Barack Obama nominated Dr. Isi A. Siddiqui, a prominent agricultural scientist, to be the U.S.'s next chief agricultural negotiator in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Presently, Siddiqui is the vice president for science and regulatory affairs at CropLife America. He previously was employed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture for 28 years and has also served the Clinton administration in various roles related to agriculture.
The American Feed Industry Association expressed its support of the nomination.