2021 Ag Exports Shatter Records

The American agricultural industry posted its highest annual export levels ever recorded in 2021. The final 2021 trade data recently published by the Department of Commerce shows that exports of U.S. farm and food products to the world totaled $177 billion, topping the 2020 total by 18 percent and eclipsing the previous record, set in 2014, by 14.6 percent.

“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,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Worldwide exports of many U.S. products, including soybeans, corn, beef, pork, dairy, distillers grains and pet food, reached all-time highs.

China remained the top export destination, with a record $33 billion in purchases, up 25 percent from 2020, while Mexico inched ahead of Canada to capture the number two position with a record $25.5 billion, up 39 percent from last year.

The remaining export markets in the nation’s top 10 markets all saw gains in 2021. In addition to China and Mexico, Canada, South Korea, the Philippines and Colombia also broke import records of U.S. ag.

Source: USDA