USDA Projects $7 Billion Drop in Exports to China in 2019

Veronica Nigh, director of congressional relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, was among policy experts who spoke about trade and tariffs during the recent AFBF convention. She said the U.S. must maintain a strong ag export market.

“Ninety-five percent of the world population is outside the U.S., so export markets will always be our opportunity for growth.” Nigh said. Twenty percent of U.S. agricultural products are exported.

Nigh said agriculture exports to China were down by $2 billion in 2018, and USDA forecasts exports to decline by an additional $7 billion in 2019. China was ranked as America’s second-largest trading partner for several years. It is projected to be fifth in 2019.

Nigh said a big concern is that many countries grow soy and corn, and now China had made room for their commodities: “We could lose the market even if the tariffs eventually go away, and it would take time to restore these markets.”