Recently, the American agricultural industry posted their annual export report that showed that 2021 boasted the highest levels ever reported in history. The trade data was published by the Department of Commerce and shows that U.S. farm and food product exports totaled $177 billion, which surpassed 2020’s total by 18 percent and passed even the previous high record set in 2014 by 14.6 percent.
In the report, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated, “These record-breaking trade numbers demonstrate that U.S. agriculture is incredibly resilient as it continues to provide high-quality, cost-competitive farm and food products to customers around the globe and that the Biden-Harris Administration’s agenda is working for American farmers and producers. This is a major boost for the economy as a whole, and particularly for our rural communities, with agricultural exports stimulating local economic activity, helping maintain our competitive edge globally, supporting producers’ bottom lines, and supporting more than 1.3 million jobs on the farm and in related industries such as food processing and transportation.”
All 10 of the top export markets in the United States experienced gains in 2021. China, Canada, Colombia, South Korea, Mexico, and the Phillippines also set new yearly records for exports.
Worldwide exports for U.S. products that set records included:
- Pork
- Beef
- Corn
- Soybeans
- Dairy
- Pet food
- Distillers grains
China led as the top export destination with $33 billion in purchases which was an increase of 25 percent compared to 2020. Mexico fell into the number two position with $25.5 billion, which was an increase of 39 percent from the previous year.
Vilsack went on to state in the report, “It’s clear that our international trading partners are responding favorably to a return to certainty from the United States. We owe our thanks to America’s agricultural producers who always work hard to be reliable global suppliers and the Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are fighting hard on their behalf to keep our home-grown products moving around the world. We’re strengthening relationships with our trading partners and holding those partners accountable for their commitments. We’re addressing transportation and infrastructure challenges through the work of the Administration’s Supply Chain Task Force and calling out ocean carriers that are putting profits above their responsibility to serve both importers and exporters. And we’re expanding opportunities for agricultural exports by knocking down trade barriers and partnering with industry on marketing and promotion efforts worldwide.”
Most experts agree that 2022 will shape up to be even more successful than 2021 for exports. Currently, there is no downturn in sight as the American supply chain struggles to meet the world’s inexhaustible demands for agricultural exports and other items.
If you’d like to learn more about export services, contact Sobel Network Shipping.
