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U.S. ag exports soar to new heights in 2022

Ag exports reached historic heights in 2022.

The USDA says international sales of U.S. farm and food products eclipsed $196 billion, 11 percent above the previous record set in 2021.

Speaking to Brownfield in Ames, Iowa Friday, USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor pointed out 20 percent of U.S. farm products are exported.

“Oftentimes, that 20 percent is the difference between farmer profitability or not. So strong export markets is really critical to farmers and ranchers’ livelihoods.”

She says USDA hopes to keep momentum in 2023 by diversifying market opportunities.

“Several years ago we saw what trade disruptions or an overreliance on any single market could lead to for trade disruptions, and what that actually translates for those farmers and ranchers and their income.”

Taylor mentioned potential market growth in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, and says USDA is also working to knock down non-tariff trade barriers around the world.