U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition,
Direction, and Policy
Charles E. Hanrahan
Senior Specialist in Agricultural Policy
Carol Canada
Information Research Specialist
Beverly A. Banks
Acquisitions Assistant
July 29, 2011
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
98-253
CRS Report for Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress
U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Summary
U.S. agricultural exports, imports, and the agricultural trade surplus are expected by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reach record levels in FY2011. FY2011 U.S. farm exports
are forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reach $137 billion, while agricultural
imports are expected to reach $93 billion. The agricultural trade surplus is projected to be $44
billion. Exports of high-value products (e.g., fruits, vegetables, meats, wine and beer) have
increased since the early 1990s and now account for 60% of total U.S. agricultural exports.
Exports of bulk commodities (e.g., soybeans, wheat, and feed grains) remain significant.
Leading markets for U.S. agricultural exports are China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the European
Union (EU), South Korea, and Taiwan. The United States in 2011 is forecast to be the world’s
leading exporter of corn, wheat, soybeans, and cotton. The U.S. share of world beef exports,
which declined after the 2003 discovery of a case of “mad cow disease” in the United States, is
recovering as more countries have re-opened their markets to U.S. product. The United States,
European Union, Australia, and New Zealand are dominant suppliers of dairy products in global
agricultural trade. New Zealand and the United States are the main suppliers of nonfat dry milk to
world markets, while the EU is the leading supplier of cheeses.
China has been among the fastest-growing markets for U.S. agricultural exports. Agricultural
exports to Canada and Mexico, both partners of the United States in the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA), have also grown rapidly.
Most U.S. agricultural imports are high-value products, including fruits, nuts, vegetables, wine,
and beer. The biggest import suppliers are NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico, and the EU.
Together these three are forecast to provide more than 50% of total U.S. agricultural imports in
FY2011. Brazil, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Colombia are also important suppliers of
agricultural imports to the United States.
According to estimates by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD), the United States provides the third-lowest amount of government policy-generated
support to its agricultural sector among OECD countries. The United States’ average applied tariff
for agricultural products is estimated by the World Trade Organization to be 8.9%, a little more
than twice the average applied tariff for non-agricultural products. Export subsidies, export credit
guarantees, and market development programs are among the programs used by the United States
to promote U.S. agricultural exports. The United States also provides U.S. agricultural
commodities to developing countries as food aid for emergency relief or use in nonemergency
development activities.
Congressional Research Service
U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Contents
U.S. Agricultural Exports, Imports, and Trade Balance .................................................................. 1
Shares of U.S. Crop Production Exported: Selected Commodities ................................................. 3
Shares of U.S. Livestock Products Exported: Selected Commodities............................................. 5
Composition of U.S. Agricultural Exports: Major Commodity Components.................................. 7
Composition of U.S. Agricultural Exports: Bulk, Consumer-Ready, and Intermediate
Product Exports ............................................................................................................................ 9
Major Country Markets for U.S. Agricultural Exports .................................................................. 11
World Export Market Shares: Crops.............................................................................................. 13
World Market Shares: Livestock and Dairy................................................................................... 23
World Market Shares: Sugar.......................................................................................................... 35
Major U.S. Agricultural Imports.................................................................................................... 37
U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin............................................................................ 39
Regional Market Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports ................................................................. 41
Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets ................................................................. 43
Growth in Agricultural Exports to North and South America ....................................................... 45
U.S. Agricultural and Trade Policies ............................................................................................. 47
Domestic Support .................................................................................................................... 47
Trade Measures........................................................................................................................ 50
Food Aid .................................................................................................................................. 50
Figures
Figure 1. U.S. Agricultural Exports, Imports, and the Trade Balance, FY1998-FY2011F.............. 1
Figure 2. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Share of U.S. Production Exported,
1990/1991-2010/2011F................................................................................................................. 3
Figure 3. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Livestock Products Exported, 1990-
2011F ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Figure 4. U.S. Agricultural Exports of Major Commodities, FY2011F .......................................... 7
Figure 5. U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1990-FY2010:
Bulk, Consumer-Oriented, and Intermediate Product Exports ..................................................... 9
Figure 6. Major Country Markets for U.S. Exports, FY2009-FY2011F ....................................... 11
Figure 7. Shares of World Exports of Wheat and Wheat Products, 2010/2011F........................... 13
Figure 8. Shares of World Exports of Rice, 2010/2011F ............................................................... 15
Figure 9. Shares of World Exports of Corn, 2010/2011F .............................................................. 17
Figure 10. Shares of World Exports of Soybeans, 2010/2011F ..................................................... 19
Figure 11. Shares of World Exports of Cotton, 2010/2011F.......................................................... 21
Figure 12. Shares of World Exports of Beef and Veal, 2011F ....................................................... 23
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 13. Shares of World Pork Exports, 2011F .......................................................................... 25
Figure 14. Shares of World Poultry Meat Exports, 2011F............................................................. 27
Figure 15. Shares of World Nonfat Dry Milk Exports, 2011F....................................................... 29
Figure 16. Shares of World Cheese Exports, 2011F ...................................................................... 31
Figure 17. Shares of World Butter Exports, 2011F........................................................................ 33
Figure 18. Shares of World Centrifugal Sugar Exports, 2010/2011F ............................................ 35
Figure 19. Major Agricultural Imports by Commodity, FY2011F................................................. 37
Figure 20. U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin, FY2009-FY2011F........................... 39
Figure 21. Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1992-FY2011F ........................................... 41
Figure 22. Growth in Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets, FY1992-FY2011F ........................ 43
Figure 23. Change in Agricultural Exports to North and South America,
FY1992-FY2011F....................................................................................................................... 45
Figure 24. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in Selected OECD Countries .............................. 48
Figure 25. Producer Single Commodity Transfers (PSCs): Selected Commodities in the
United States............................................................................................................................... 49
Tables
Table 1. U.S. Agricultural Exports and Imports, FY1988-FY2011F ............................................... 2
Table 2. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Crop Production Exported, 1990/1991-
2010/2011F................................................................................................................................... 4
Table 3. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Production of Livestock Exported,
1990-2011F................................................................................................................................... 6
Table 4. U.S. Agricultural Exports of Major Commodities, FY2011F ............................................ 8
Table 5. U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1990-FY2010: Total, Bulk, Consumer-Ready, and
Intermediate Product Exports ..................................................................................................... 10
Table 6. Major Country Markets for U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY2009-FY2011F..................... 12
Table 7. Shares of World Exports of Wheat and Wheat Products, 1995/1996-2010/2011F .......... 14
Table 8. Shares of World Exports of Rice, 1994/1995-2010/2011F .............................................. 16
Table 9. Shares of World Exports of Corn, 1995/1996-2010/2011F.............................................. 18
Table 10. Shares of World Exports of Soybeans, 1995/1996-2010/2011F .................................... 20
Table 11. Shares of World Exports of Cotton, 1995/1996-2010/2011F......................................... 22
Table 12. Shares of World Exports of Beef and Veal, 1995-2011F ............................................... 24
Table 13. Shares of World Pork Exports, 1994-2011F................................................................... 26
Table 14. Shares of World Total Poultry Meat Exports, 1994-2011F ............................................ 28
Table 15. Shares of World Nonfat Dry Milk Exports, 1995-2011F ............................................... 30
Table 16. Shares of World Cheese Exports, 1994-2011F............................................................... 32
Table 17. Shares of World Butter Exports, 1994-2011F ................................................................ 34
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 18. Shares of World Centrifugal Sugar Exports, 1995/1996-2010/2011F ........................... 36
Table 19. Major U.S. Agricultural Imports, FY2011F.................................................................. 38
Table 20. U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin, FY2009-FY2011F ............................ 40
Table 21. Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports to Selected Markets, FY1992-FY2011F ............. 42
Table 22. Change in U.S. Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets, FY1992-FY2011F.................. 44
Table 23. Change in Agricultural Exports to North and South America, FY1992-FY2011F ........ 46
Table 24. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in Selected OECD Countries ................................ 48
Table 25. Producer Single Commodity Transfers (PSC) in the United States,
by Commodity ............................................................................................................................ 49
Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 51
Congressional Research Service
U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
U.S. Agricultural Exports, Imports, and Trade
Balance
• According to USDA, FY2011 agricultural exports are forecast to reach $137
billion, well above the fiscal 2008 record level of $115 billion. Increased demand
for commodities as the global economy recovers from recession is a major reason
for the increase in FY2011 exports.
• U.S. agricultural imports are forecast to reach $93 billion—a new record high—in
FY2011, a $14 billion increase over FY2010 agricultural imports.
• The expected $44 billion U.S. agricultural trade surplus for FY2011 is well above
FY2008’s all-time high of $36 billion.
Figure 1. U.S. Agricultural Exports, Imports, and the Trade Balance, FY1998-FY2011F
140
120
Exports
100
80
Imports
60
40
20
Trade Balance
0
1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. F = Forecast
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 1. U.S. Agricultural Exports and Imports, FY1988-FY2011F
($ billion)
Year Exports
Imports
Balance
1988
35.3 21.0 14.3
1989
39.6 21.5 18.1
1990
40.2 22.6 17.7
1991 37.6
22.6
15.0
1992
42.4 24.3 18.1
1993 42.6
24.4
18.1
1994 43.9
26.6
17.3
1995
54.6 29.9 24.7
1996 59.8
32.6
27.2
1997 57.3
35.8
21.5
1998
53.6 36.8 16.8
1999
49.1 37.3 11.8
2000
50.7 38.9 11.9
2001
52.7 39.0 13.7
2002 53.3
41.0
12.3
2003 56.0
45.7
10.3
2004
62.4
52.7
9.7
2005 62.5
57.7
4.8
2006 68.6
64.0
4.6
2007
82.2 70.1 12.1
2008 114.9
79.3
35.6
2009
96.3 73.4 22.9
2010 108.7
79.0
29.7
2011F 137.0
93.0
44.0
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
70, May 26, 2011, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/ers/AES//2010s/2011/AES-05-26-2011.pdf.
Note: F= Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Shares of U.S. Crop Production Exported:
Selected Commodities
• In 2010/2011, a forecast 58.2% of the U.S. wheat crop will be exported, while
15.8% of the U.S. corn crop will move into world markets.
• The export share of soybeans is forecast to be 47.8% in 2010/2011. Tight world
stocks of oilseeds and strong foreign demand have pushed soybean exports up.
• Cotton’s export share in 2010/2011 is forecast to be 86%. Cotton is the United
States’ most export-dependent field crop.
Figure 2. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Share of U.S. Production Exported,
1990/1991-2010/2011F
100
Wheat
Corn
80
Cotton
Soybeans
60
40
20
0
1990-1994
1995-1999
2000-2004
2005-2010
2010/11F
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 2. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Crop Production Exported,
1990/1991-2010/2011F
(percent)
Year
Wheat
Corn
Cotton
Soybeans
1990/91
38.4 22.1 50.3 28.9
1991/92
65.5 21.4 37.7 34.4
1992/93
55.5 17.7 32.1 35.2
1993/94
50.8 20.6 42.5 31.5
1994/95
51.5 23.0 47.8 33.4
1995/96
56.9 28.1 42.9 39.1
1996/97
44.0 19.9 36.2 37.2
1997/98
41.9 16.2 39.9 32.5
1998/99
41.8 21.0 30.9 29.4
1999/00
47.1 20.7 39.8 36.7
2000/01
46.2 19.2 39.2 36.1
2001/02
49.6 19.6 54.2 36.8
2002/03
51.7 18.0 69.1 37.9
2003/04
50.3 19.0 75.4 36.1
2004/05
48.4 15.1 62.1 35.1
2005/06
47.3 19.9 74.0 30.6
2006/07
50.5 20.3 60.0 34.9
2007/08
61.4 18.3 71.0 43.3
2008/09 39.8
15.5
103.5
43.1
2009/10
40.0 15.0 98.8 44.7
2010/11F 58.2 15.8 86.0 47.8
Source: Calculated by CRS using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service
Production, Supply and Distribution Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Shares of U.S. Livestock Products Exported:
Selected Commodities
• U.S. livestock products are much less export-dependent than crops.
• Beef exports, which grew from around 4% of production in 1990 to almost 10%
by 2003, have slowly recovered from export bans on U.S. beef following the 2003
discovery of a BSE-infected cow in the United States. The beef export share of
production in 2011 is forecast to be 8.7%.
• Pork exports as a share of production have grown substantially, from 1.6% in 1990
to a forecast 20.8% in 2011.
• Poultry’s export share of production has almost tripled since 1990, from 6.2% to a
forecast 18.1% in 2011.
Figure 3. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Livestock Products Exported,
1990-2011F
25
Beef
Pork
Poultry
20
15
10
5
0
1990-1994
1995-1999
2000-2004
2005-2009
2010
2011F
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 3. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Production of Livestock Exported,
1990-2011F
Year
Beef
Pork
Poultry
1990 4.4 1.6
6.2
1991 5.1 1.8
6.4
1992 5.7 2.4
7.1
1993 5.5 2.6
8.9
1994 6.5 3.1
12.1
1995 7.1 4.4
15.7
1996 7.2 5.7
16.9
1997 8.3 6.0
16.3
1998 8.3 6.5
15.8
1999 9.0 6.6
15.6
2000 9.1 6.8
16.3
2001 8.6 8.0
18.0
2002 8.9 8.2
15.1
2003 9.5 8.6
15.2
2004 1.9 10.6
14.2
2005 2.8 12.9
14.9
2006 4.3 14.2
14.8
2007 5.4 14.3
16.5
2008 7.0 20.0
19.1
2009 7.4 17.8
19.4
2010 8.8 20.2
18.0
2011F 8.7 20.8
18.1
Source: Calculated by CRS using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service
Production, Supply and Distribution Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Composition of U.S. Agricultural Exports:
Major Commodity Components
• The United States exports a wide range of agricultural products, including
horticultural products, field crops, livestock products, and poultry.
• Oilseeds (mainly soybeans) and oilseed products (mainly meal and oil)—with a
forecast value of $30.2 billion in FY2011—are the largest commodity component
of U.S. agricultural exports.
• Horticultural product exports (fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and their
preparations)—forecast to be $25 billion in FY2011—comprise the second-largest
commodity category of U.S. agricultural exports in FY2011.
• Livestock and poultry products together would amount to more than $21 billion in
FY2011.
• Field crop exports (including feed grains, wheat, cotton, and tobacco) are forecast
to account for almost $37 billion of U.S. agricultural exports in FY2011.
Figure 4. U.S. Agricultural Exports of Major Commodities, FY2011F
Oilseeds and Products
30.2
Horticultural Products
25
Livestock Products
17.6
Feed Grains
14.7
Wheat
11.7
Cotton
9
Poultry/Prods.
4.9
Tobacco
1.2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
$ Billion
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. F = Forecast
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 4. U.S. Agricultural Exports of Major Commodities, FY2011F
($ billions)
Commodity FY2011F
Exports
Oilseeds and Products
30.2
Horticultural Products
25.0
Livestock Products
17.6
Feed Grains
14.7
Wheat 11.7
Cotton
9.0
Poultry/Prods. 4.9
Tobacco 1.2
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade AES-
70, May 26, 2011, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/ers/AES//2010s/2011/AES-05-26-2011.pdf.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Composition of U.S. Agricultural Exports: Bulk,
Consumer-Ready, and Intermediate Product Exports
• Bulk agricultural exports include products like wheat, coarse grains, cotton, and
soybeans.
• Intermediate products have been processed to some extent and include products
like wheat flour, soybean oil, and feeds.
• Consumer-ready products include both processed products such as breakfast
cereals and products such as fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy products,
and wine and beer.
• Until 1990, bulk agricultural exports were the mainstay of U.S. farm export trade.
The total of high-value (intermediate plus consumer-ready) products has exceeded
the value of bulk agricultural exports in every fiscal year since FY1991.
• In FY2010, high-value exports accounted for 60.5% of total U.S. agricultural
exports and bulk exports for 39.5%.
Figure 5. U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1990-FY2010:
Bulk, Consumer-Oriented, and Intermediate Product Exports
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
Intermediate
Consumer-Oriented
Bulk
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 5. U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1990-FY2010:
Total, Bulk, Consumer-Ready, and Intermediate Product Exports
($ thousands)
Year
Total
Bulk
% of Total Consumer-Oriented % of Total Intermediate % of Total
1990 40,347,960 21,793,461 54.0
9,891,735
24.5
8,662,764
21.5
1991 37,864,207 17,701,487 46.7
11,574,646
30.6
8,588,074
22.7
1992 42,554,780 19,523,240 45.9
13,689,029
32.2
9,342,511
22.0
1993 43,057,753 19,084,550 44.3
14,889,726
34.6
9,083,477
21.1
1994 43,893,020 17,940,578 40.9
16,460,463
37.5
9,491,979
21.6
1995 54,613,152 24,446,611 44.8
18,847,340
34.5
11,319,201
20.7
1996 59,785,653 28,781,235 48.1
20,167,462
33.7
10,836,956
18.1
1997 57,305,347 24,250,805 42.3
20,878,010
36.4
12,176,532
21.2
1998 53,661,663 20,925,957 39.0
20,641,538
38.5
12,094,168
22.5
1999 49,118,260 18,596,897 37.9
19,898,512
40.5
10,622,851
21.6
2000 50,761,767 18,580,955 36.6
21,481,221
42.3
10,699,591
21.1
2001 52,716,911 18,436,458 35.0
22,541,751
42.8
11,738,702
22.3
2002 53,319,318 19,122,275 35.9
21,708,519
40.7
12,488,524
23.4
2003 56,013,986 21,224,523 37.9
22,723,487
40.6
12,065,977
21.5
2004 62,400,350 26,903,911 43.1
23,353,486
37.4
12,142,954
19.5
2005 62,516,299 23,613,456 37.8
26,287,920
42.0
12,614,923
20.2
2006 68,592,956 25,619,902 37.4
29,363,783
42.8
13,609,271
19.8
2007 82,216,762 32,883,623 40.0
33,191,509
40.4
16,141,630
19.6
2008 114,909,725 52,375,640 45.6
41,387,674
36.0
21,146,412
18.4
2009 96,295,144 38,438,804 39.9
39,406,888
40.9
18,449,452
19.2
2010 108,663,682 42,882,719 39.5
43,277,761
39.8
22,503,203
20.7
Source: Data in this table are compiled from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service
databases, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/gats/default.aspx.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Major Country Markets for U.S. Agricultural
Exports
• China is now forecast to be the top market for U.S. agricultural exports in FY2011,
with exports valued at $21 billion, surpassing Canada with $18.5 billion.
• Mexico, with Canada a U.S. partner in the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), is the third-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, with exports
valued at $17 billion. Total U.S. agricultural exports to its NAFTA partners are
forecast at $37 billion for FY2011.
• Japan ($13 billion forecast for FY2010), which was the number-one U.S.
destination for agricultural products for many years, is forecast to be the fourth-
largest export destination. It is followed by the EU-27, the fifth-largest U.S. farm
export market, with forecast agricultural exports of $10 billion.
• Other Asian markets—South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong—also are major markets
for U.S. agricultural exports, with forecast values in FY2011 of $6.5 billion, $3.5
billion, and $3.3 billion, respectively.
Figure 6. Major Country Markets for U.S. Exports, FY2009-FY2011F
21
China
15.1
11.2
18.5
Canada
15.5
15.5
17
Mexico
13.9
13.5
13
Japan
11.2
11.2
10
EU
8.5
7.6
6.5
South Korea
5
3.8
0
5
10
15
20
25
$ Billions
2011F
2010
2009
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. F = Forecast
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 6. Major Country Markets for U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY2009-FY2011F
($ billion)
Country 2009
2010
2011F
China 11.2
15.1
21.0
Canada 15.5
16.6
18.5
Mexico 13.5
13.9
17.0
Japan 11.2
11.2
13.0
EU-27 7.6
8.5
10.0
South Korea
3.8
5.0
6.5
Taiwan 2.9
3.2
3.5
Hong Kong
1.8
2.5
3.3
Turkey 1.4
2.0
2.9
Russia 1.4
1.0
1.4
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
70, May 26, 2011, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/ers/AES//2010s/2011/AES-05-26-2011.pdf.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
World Export Market Shares: Crops
• Wheat: The United States is the major supplier of wheat and wheat products to the
world market, with a forecast export market share of 28.2% in marketing year
2010/2011. The EU (16.9%), Canada (14.1%), and Australia (12.1%) are major
competitors in this market (see Figure 7 and Table 7).
• Rice: Thailand (33.1% export market share forecast for 2010/2011) is the world’s
major rice exporter; but Vietnam (19.9%) has emerged as a major competitor. Both
Pakistan’s and India’s export market shares in 2010/2011 are forecast to be 8%.
The United States would be the world’s third-largest rice exporter with a forecast
share in 2010/2011 of 11.4% (see Figure 8 and Table 8).
• Corn: The United States has the world’s largest export market for corn with a
2010/2011 forecast export share of 54.3% (see Figure 9 and Table 9). Since the
mid-1990s, Brazil has increased its share of world corn exports, while China, an
exporter of corn during most of the last 16 years, has lost export market share.
• Soybeans: The United States is forecast to be the world’s main supplier of
soybeans to the world market in 2010/2011 with a share of 44%, down from 73%
in 1995/1996. Over that same period, Brazil’s export market share has grown from
10.9% to 33.1%. (see Figure 10 and Table 10).
• Cotton: U.S. cotton exports are estimated to be 40.8% of the world total in
2010/2011. U.S. competitors include India (12.4%), Uzbekistan (9.1%), Australia
(7.8%) and West/Central African countries (6.3%) (see Figure 11 and Table 11).
Figure 7. Shares of World Exports of Wheat and Wheat Products, 2010/2011F
Argentina
Rest of World
6%
17%
Australia
12%
Canada
14%
United States
28%
European Union
Ukraine
17%
Russian Federation
3%
3%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Notes: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 7. Shares of World Exports of Wheat and Wheat Products,
1995/1996-2010/2011F
(percent)
Country
1995/96
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/00
2000/01
2001/02
Argentina
4.5 9.7 9.4 9.0 9.9 11.2 10.8
Australia
12.2 17.5 14.7 15.8 15.3 16.3 15.3
Canada
17.2
17.4
20.4
14.1
17.3
16.9
15.5
European Uniona
13.3 17.1 13.6 14.3 18.2 15.3 11.8
Russian
Federation 0.2 0.7 1.1 1.6 0.5 0.7 4.0
Ukraine
1.4 1.2 1.3 4.6 1.7 0.1 5.1
United
States
34.1 26.2 27.1 28.4 26.3 27.4 24.3
Rest
of
World
17.2 10.1 12.4 12.1 10.8 12.1 13.1
Country
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Argentina
5.9 7.1 11.9 7.3 10.6 8.8 6.0
Australia
10.2 14.6 13.9 13.3 9.7 6.4 9.4
Canada
8.8
15.0
13.3
13.7
16.7
14.2
13.0
European Uniona
17.0 9.5 12.9 13.8 11.9 10.5 17.7
Russian
Federation 11.8 3.0 7.4 9.3 9.3 10.5 12.8
Ukraine
6.2 0.1 3.9 5.7 2.9 1.1 9.1
United
States
21.2 31.0 25.0 23.7 21.5 29.4 18.9
Rest
of
World
18.9 19.7 11.7 13.1 17.3 19.1 13.0
Country
2009/2010E
2010/2011F
Argentina
3.9
5.6
Australia
10.2
12.1
Canada
14.1
14.1
European Uniona
16.5
16.9
Russian
Federation
13.8
3.2
Ukraine
7.0
3.2
United
States 18.0
28.2
Rest
of
World 16.5
16.7
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: July-June marketing year.
E = Estimate.
F = Forecast.
a. 1995/1996-1998/1999 data are EU-15 and 1990/2000 to present are EU-27.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 8. Shares of World Exports of Rice, 2010/2011F
China
India
Rest of World
2%
8%
17%
Pakistan
9%
Vietnam
20%
Thailand
33%
United States
11%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 8. Shares of World Exports of Rice, 1994/1995-2010/2011F
(percent)
Country
1994/95
1995/96
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/00
2000/01
China
0.2 1.3 5.0 13.5 10.9 13.0 7.6
India
20.0 18.6 11.1 16.9 11.1 6.4 7.9
Pakistan
8.5 8.5 9.4 7.2 7.4 8.9 9.9
Thailand
28.6 26.8 27.7 23.0 26.9 28.7 30.8
United
States 14.6 13.3 12.2 11.5 10.7 12.5 10.2
Vietnam
11.1 15.4 17.6 13.7 18.4 14.8 14.5
Rest
of
World 17.1 16.1 17.0 14.2 14.7 15.8 19.0
Country
2001/02
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
China
7.1 9.4 3.2 2.3 4.2 4.2 3.3
India
23.9 16.1 11.7 16.2 15.6 19.8 11.4
Pakistan
5.8 7.1 7.3 10.5 12.3 8.5 10.3
Thailand
26.1 27.4 37.2 25.1 25.4 30.0 33.7
United
States 11.6 13.8 11.2 13.3 11.2 9.4 10.8
Vietnam
11.7 13.8 15.8 17.9 16.2 14.2 15.6
Rest
of
World 13.9 12.5 13.6 14.8 15.0 14.0 14.9
Country
2008/09
2009/10E
2010/11F
China
2.7
2.0
2.0
India
7.3
6.3
8.0
Pakistan 10.9
12.8
8.8
Thailand 29.3
28.9
33.1
United
States
10.2
12.3
11.4
Vietnam 20.3
21.6
19.9
Rest
of
World
19.3
16.1
16.9
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: July-June marketing year.
E = Estimate.
F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 9. Shares of World Exports of Corn, 2010/2011F
Rest of World
Argentina
12%
14%
Brazil
11%
China
0%
South Africa, Rep.
3%
Ukraine
6%
United States
54%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 9. Shares of World Exports of Corn, 1995/1996-2010/2011F
(percent)
Country
1995/96
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/00
2000/01
2001/02
Argentina
10.7 15.3 20.2 11.4 12.3 16.1 11.8
Brazil
0.3 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 4.9 5.3
China
0.2 5.8 9.8 4.9 13.7 9.6 11.8
South
Africa,
Rep. 2.7 2.4 1.7 1.2 1.2 1.9 1.6
Ukraine
0.1 0.0 0.9 0.5 0.1 0.5 0.5
United
States
81.4 70.0 59.9 75.7 68.4 63.7 64.9
Rest
of
World
4.5 5.7 7.5 6.3 4.3 3.3 4.1
Country
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Argentina
16.0 13.2 18.1 12.9 17.2 16.0 10.1
Brazil
4.1 7.4 1.9 3.4 8.8 8.0 8.6
China
19.8 9.6 10.0 4.5 5.8 0.6 0.2
South
Africa,
Rep. 1.5 1.0 2.0 1.7 0.5 1.1 2.5
Ukraine
1.1 1.6 3.1 3.0 1.1 2.1 6.5
United
States
53.2 61.7 59.6 67.8 59.3 61.7 56.9
Rest
of
World
4.3 5.6 5.3 6.7 7.4 10.5 15.2
Country
2009/10E
2010/11F
Argentina
18.2
14.1
Brazil
9.3
10.9
China
0.2
0.2
South
Africa,
Rep.
1.7
2.7
Ukraine
5.4
6.0
United
States 53.5
54.3
Rest
of
World 11.7
11.8
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: October-September marketing year.
E = Estimate.
F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 10. Shares of World Exports of Soybeans, 2010/2011F
Rest of World
Argentina
3%
11%
United States
44%
Brazil
33%
Canada
Paraguay
3%
6%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 10. Shares of World Exports of Soybeans, 1995/1996-2010/2011F
(percent)
Country
1995/96
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/2000
2000/01
2001/02
Argentina
6.6 2.1 7.2 8.1 9.0 13.6 11.3
Brazil
10.9 22.9 22.3 23.5 24.3 28.8 27.4
Canada
1.9 1.3 2.0 2.3 2.1 1.4 0.9
Paraguay
5.0 5.8 5.8 6.1 4.4 4.4 4.3
United
States 73.0 65.6 60.5 57.7 58.2 50.5 54.7
Rest
of
World 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.0 1.3 1.3
Country
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Argentina
14.1 12.0 14.8 11.4 13.5 17.6 7.3
Brazil
32.1 36.4 31.1 40.8 33.1 32.2 39.0
Canada
1.2 1.6 1.7 2.1 2.4 2.2 2.6
Paraguay
5.0 4.8 4.6 3.2 5.5 5.8 2.9
United
States 46.4 43.1 46.1 40.3 42.9 40.0 45.3
Rest
of
World 1.3 2.1 1.8 2.1 2.6 2.2 2.9
Country
2009/10E
2010/2011F
Argentina 14.1
11.2
Brazil
30.8
33.1
Canada
2.4
2.9
Paraguay 5.8
5.7
United
States
44.0
44.0
Rest
of
World
2.8
3.1
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: Marketing year.
E = Estimate
F = Forecast
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 11. Shares of World Exports of Cotton, 2010/2011F
Australia
Rest of World
8%
West/Central Africa
6%
24%
India
12%
Uzbekistan
9%
United States
41%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Notes: West/Central Africa includes Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote
d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.
F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 11. Shares of World Exports of Cotton, 1995/1996-2010/2011F
Country
1995/96
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/00
2000/01
2001/02
Australia
5.3 8.9 10.1 12.9 11.8 14.9 10.7
West/Central Africaa 10.2 12.3 13.5 15.3 13.8 12.4 12.2
India
2.1 4.4 1.2 0.8 0.3 0.4 0.2
United
States
28.1 25.6 28.1 18.3 24.8 25.7 37.7
Uzbekistan
16.5 17.0 17.1 16.2 15.5 13.2 12.0
Rest
of
World
37.8 31.8 30.0 36.5 33.9 33.4 27.1
Country
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
Australia
8.7 6.5 5.7 6.4 5.7 3.1 4.0
West/Central Africaa 12.4 13.4 11.8 9.9 10.3 6.8 7.1
India
0.2 2.1 1.9 8.2 13.0 19.2 7.8
United
States
39.1 41.4 41.2 39.4 34.6 35.0 44.1
Uzbekistan
11.2 9.3 11.3 10.7 12.0 10.8 10.0
Rest
of
World
28.4 27.3 28.1 25.4 24.4 25.1 26.9
Country
2009/10E
2010/11F
Australia
5.9
7.8
West/Central Africaa
6.4
6.3
India
18.4
12.4
United
States
33.9
40.8
Uzbekistan
10.7
9.1
Rest
of
World 24.7
23.6
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: Marketing year.
E = Estimate.
F = Forecast.
a. Includes Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger,
Senegal, and Togo.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
World Market Shares: Livestock and Dairy
• Beef: Brazil, with 24.4% (forecast) of world exports in 2011, is the largest supplier
of beef to world markets. The U.S. share of world beef exports is forecast to be
13.5% in 2010. Lingering effects of mad cow disease continue to affect demand
for U.S. beef in world markets; the U.S. share of world beef exports had reached
18.9% in 2000. (See Figure 12 and Table 12.)
• Pork: The United States is forecast to have the largest export market share for
pork (35%) in 2011. Main competitors for pork export market shares include the
EU (25.5%) and Canada (19.4%). (See Figure 13 and Table 13.)
• Poultry: Brazil is the world’s leading supplier of poultry meat to the world market
(37.1% forecast export market share for 2011). The United States, with 33.3% of
world poultry meat exports, and the EU with 10.5% have lost market share to
Brazil over the past decade. (See Figure 14 and Table 14.)
• Dairy Products: For 2011, New Zealand (29.4%) and the United States (27.4%)
are forecast to be the leading suppliers of nonfat dry milk to world markets (see
Figure 15 and Table 15). The EU (42.4%) is the leading supplier of cheese to
world markets (see Figure 16 and Table 16), while New Zealand (58.5%) is the
world’s largest exporter of butter (see Figure 17 and Table 17).
Figure 12. Shares of World Exports of Beef and Veal, 2011F
Argentina European Union
4%
2%
United States
Rest of World
14%
31%
Brazil
New Zealand
24%
7%
Australia
18%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 12. Shares of World Exports of Beef and Veal, 1995-2011F
Country
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Argentina
9.8 9.5 7.8 5.5 6.0 6.0 2.9
European Uniona 22.0 21.1 18.8 14.2 17.3 11.2 10.4
United
States
15.1 16.3 16.7 18.0 18.6 18.9 17.6
Brazil
4.2 4.3 4.0 5.5 7.8 8.2 12.7
Australia
20.3 19.7 20.1 22.7 21.3 22.2 23.5
New
Zealand
9.1 9.6 8.6 8.7 7.4 8.0 8.3
Rest
of
World 19.5 19.5 24.0 25.3 21.5 25.5 24.7
Country
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Argentina
5.4 5.9 9.3 10.3 7.4 7.1 5.6
European Uniona 9.0 6.7 5.5 3.5 2.9 1.8 2.7
United
States 17.3 17.6 3.1 4.3 6.9 8.6 11.4
Brazil
13.6 17.9 24.2 25.2 27.8 28.9 24.0
Australia
20.9 19.1 20.6 19.0 19.1 18.5 18.8
New
Zealand
7.4 8.4 8.9 7.9 7.1 6.6 7.1
Rest
of
World 26.6 24.4 28.5 29.8 28.9 28.5 30.3
Country
2009
2010P
2011F
Argentina
8.9
4.1
4.0
European Uniona
2.0
2.2
2.2
United
States 12.0
14.3
13.5
Brazil
21.8
23.1
24.4
Australia
18.6
18.3
17.9
New
Zealand 7.0
7.0
6.7
Rest
of
World
29.6
31.0
31.3
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes:
P = Preliminary.
F = Forecast.
b. 1995-1998 data are EU-15 and 1999 to present are EU-27.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 13. Shares of World Pork Exports, 2011F
Rest of World
15%
Taiwan
Canada
0%
19%
China, Peoples Republic
5%
European Union
26%
United States
35%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 13. Shares of World Pork Exports, 1994-2011F
(percent)
Country
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Canada
15.5 13.6 14.4 14.7 17.0 21.4 22.7
United
States
15.1 15.6 16.2 19.0 17.9 18.9 21.8
European Uniona 32.6 30.5 32.6 35.1 49.0 43.3 30.2
China
4.4 4.8 6.9 6.9 4.4 4.7 7.0
Taiwan
16.1 13.7 2.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
Rest
of
World 16.3 21.8 27.6 24.3 11.8 11.7 18.3
Country
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Canada
23.1 23.3 20.6 21.7 20.7 20.0 18.4
United
States
19.6 18.7 21.0 24.2 26.0 27.6 34.4
European Uniona 26.6 27.3 27.6 22.8 24.6 24.9 28.1
China
8.2 9.5 11.4 10.0 10.4 6.8 3.6
Taiwan
0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Rest
of
World 22.5 21.1 19.4 21.3 18.3 20.7 15.4
Country
2009
2010P
2011F
Canada
19.9
19.2
19.4
United
States 32.9
33.5
35.0
European Uniona
25.1
28.1
25.5
China
4.1
4.1
4.6
Taiwan
0.0
0.0
0.0
Rest
of
World
17.9
15.0
15.5
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: F = Forecast.
a. 1995-1998 data are EU-15 and 1999 to present are EU-27.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 14. Shares of World Poultry Meat Exports, 2011F
Rest of World
14%
China, Peoples Republic
United States
5%
33%
European Union
11%
Brazil
37%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 14. Shares of World Total Poultry Meat Exports, 1994-2011F
(percent)
Country
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
United
States
41.3 41.9 48.8 46.7 47.3 46.7 45.9
Brazil
10.0 11.7 15.1 13.8 16.7 18.2 22.3
European Uniona NA NA 17.8 19.0 17.6 15.2 11.8
China
(PRC)
6.2 6.6 8.1 7.6 8.5 9.7 8.9
Rest
of
World 42.5 39.8 10.3 12.9 9.9 10.1 11.1
Country
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
United
States
38.7 37.0 35.8 34.6 36.0 36.3 37.5
Brazil
28.0 31.6 39.9 40.1 38.2 39.6 38.5
European Uniona 13.6 12.0 12.0 10.2 10.5 8.6 8.8
China
(PRC)
7.8 6.4 4.0 4.9 4.9 4.9 3.4
Rest
of
World 12.1 12.9 8.3 10.3 10.3 10.7 11.7
Country
2009
2010F
2011P
United
States 37.7
34.9
33.3
Brazil
36.4
36.2
37.1
European Uniona
9.5
11.3
10.5
China
(PRC) 3.5
4.3
4.9
Rest
of
World
12.8
13.3
14.0
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: NA = Not Available.
P = Preliminary.
F = Forecast.
a. 1997-1998 data are EU-15 and 1999 to present are EU-27.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 15. Shares of World Nonfat Dry Milk Exports, 2011F
Rest of World
Canada
6%
1%
United States
27%
New Zealand
30%
European Union
Australia
24%
12%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 15. Shares of World Nonfat Dry Milk Exports, 1995-2011F
(percent)
Country
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Canada
2.5 2.5 2.9 3.8 2.7 1.9 3.7
United
States
9.5 2.4 11.3 11.5 14.4 8.5 7.7
European Uniona
NA NA
27.3 19.4 24.4 27.1 22.3
Australia
10.9 12.8 19.8 22.1 15.9 15.2 17.5
New
Zealand
9.7 11.5 20.7 21.8 13.6 10.5 15.6
Rest
of
World 67.4 70.8 18.0 21.4 29.1 36.7 33.3
Country
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Canada
3.7 2.4 1.1 0.5 1.2 1.1 1.0
United
States
9.6 9.3 15.9 23.0 26.1 20.8 35.4
European Uniona 19.9 22.3 19.1 15.8 8.0 16.3 16.2
Australia
17.6 12.8 12.9 11.7 17.2 14.1 10.9
New
Zealand
18.9 20.8 21.0 18.4 22.1 26.3 22.8
Rest
of
World 30.3 32.4 30.0 30.5 25.5 21.4 13.7
Country
2009
2010P
2011F
Canada
0.9
0.8
0.7
United
States 22.1
28.5
27.4
European Uniona
20.1
27.2
24.3
Australia
14.5
9.7
11.8
New
Zealand 35.4
27.6
29.4
Rest
of
World 7.0
6.2
6.5
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: NA = Not Available.
P = Preliminary.
F = Forecast.
a. 1997-1998 data are EU-15 and 1999 to present are EU-27.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 16. Shares of World Cheese Exports, 2011F
Rest of World
3%
Canada
1%
Argentina
3%
United States
10%
Ukraine
European Union
6%
43%
Australia
13%
New Zealand
21%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 16. Shares of World Cheese Exports, 1994-2011F
Country
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
European Uniona
NA NA NA
51.0 46.2 45.2 31.1 30.8
New Zealandb
5.9 6.9 6.7 25.0 25.6 26.1 16.3 16.0
Australiac
4.1 4.5 4.3 13.3 16.6 18.7 14.4 13.9
Ukraine
0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.7 0.8 2.0
United
States
1.1 1.1 1.2 4.0 4.1 4.1 3.0 3.4
Argentina
0.6 0.5 0.4 2.0 1.9 2.2 1.4 1.1
Canada
0.3 0.6 0.6 2.4 3.0 2.7 1.2 1.2
Rest
of
World 87.8 86.2 86.6 2.0 2.2 0.3 31.8 31.5
Country
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
European Uniona 30.3 31.3 29.7 28.7 31.7 28.8 38.8 41.3
New Zealandb 16.7 16.9 16.4 15.2 15.1 16.7 22.4 23.5
Australiac
13.1 12.0 12.0 13.1 11.4 11.4 16.0 13.1
Ukraine
2.2 3.5 5.3 6.7 2.8 3.3 6.1 6.2
United
States
3.3 3.0 3.5 3.3 4.0 5.4 10.4 8.7
Argentina
1.6 1.3 1.8 2.6 3.3 2.4 2.9 3.9
Canada
1.0 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.7
Rest
of
World 31.8 31.2 30.8 29.9 31.2 31.5 2.6 2.6
Country
2010P
2011F
European Uniona
42.5
42.4
New Zealandb
20.9
21.2
Australiac
12.1
12.9
Ukraine
6.2
6.5
United
States 12.0
10.5
Argentina
3.3
3.4
Canada
0.7
0.6
Rest
of
World 2.3
2.5
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: NA = Not Available.
P = Preliminary.
F = Forecast.
a. 1997-1998 data are EU-15 and 1999 to present are EU-27.
b. Year ending May 31 of the year shown.
c. Year ending June 30 of the year shown.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 17. Shares of World Butter Exports, 2011F
United States
6%
Canada
Rest of World
1%
4%
Ukraine
0%
Australia
9%
New Zealand
European Union
59%
21%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 17. Shares of World Butter Exports, 1994-2011F
(percent)
Country
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
New Zealanda
20.2 19.3 21.0 42.1 50.2 34.1 37.0 36.3
European Unionb NA
NA
NA
29.2
26.8
24.5
21.4
21.7
Australiac
7.1 6.9 6.6 14.8 16.7 14.3 15.2 12.9
Ukraine
1.7 5.6 8.4 7.9 1.6 1.0 3.4 5.5
Canada
0.2 0.5 1.1 1.6 1.9 1.3 1.1 1.7
United
States
7.1 5.2 1.7 2.4 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.0
Rest
of
World 63.7 62.5 61.1 2.0 2.2 24.5 21.5 21.9
Country
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
New Zealanda
35.9 33.5 31.6 27.8 35.7 40.2 50.9 60.1
European Unionb 23.4 27.0 27.9 29.9 24.2 19.8 21.1 20.8
Australiac
12.7 9.2 5.9 6.2 8.0 7.3 8.0 10.2
Ukraine
1.5 1.5 3.3 2.1 1.8 0.4 0.8 0.1
Canada
1.7 1.0 1.3 1.8 1.8 1.2 0.1 0.4
United
States
0.3 1.0 0.7 0.5 1.1 3.7 12.3 2.2
Rest
of
World 24.3 26.7 29.2 31.8 27.4 27.5 6.8 6.3
Country
2010P
2011F
New Zealanda 55.9
58.5
European Unionb
24.8
20.9
Australiac
8.2
9.1
Ukraine
0.1
0.1
Canada
1.2
1.3
United
States 7.0
6.3
Rest
of
World 2.7
3.7
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: NA = Not Available.
P = Preliminary.
F = Forecast.
a. Year ending May 31 of the year shown.
b. 1997-1998 data are EU-15 and 1999 to present are EU-27.
c. Year ending June 30 of the year shown.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
World Market Shares: Sugar
• Brazil is the world’s leading exporter of sugar with an export market share forecast
to be 51.8% for 2010/2011.
• Australia, with 7.2% of global sugar exports, is the world’s second-largest exporter
of sugar.
• The United States is a sugar importer with negligible sugar exports (forecast to be
0.3% for 2010/2011).
Figure 18. Shares of World Centrifugal Sugar Exports, 2010/2011F
United States
0%
Mexico
2%
Total Caribbean
2%
DR-CAFTA
6%
Rest of World
29%
Australia
7%
Brazil
European Union
51%
3%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
Notes: DR-CAFTA includes Dominican Republic and Central America. The European Union (EU) data include
French overseas departments of Reunion, Guadeloupe, and Martinique, but do not include intra EU trade. EU
data include sugar-containing products. October-September marketing year. F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 18. Shares of World Centrifugal Sugar Exports, 1995/1996-2010/2011F
(percent)
Country
1995/96
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/2000
2000/01
2001/02
United
States
0.9 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.3
Mexico
1.8 2.5 2.9 1.4 0.8 0.4 1.0
Total
Caribbean 12.7 11.3 8.0 9.7 9.5 9.0 8.4
DR-CAFTAa
5.2 5.7 6.3 5.3 5.3 6.1 5.3
Brazil
16.4 15.3 19.1 23.3 27.1 20.1 27.4
European Unionb 13.1 13.8 16.9 14.2 14.7 17.3 11.3
Australia
12.0 12.0 12.1 10.9 9.9 8.0 8.5
Rest
of
World 37.8 38.9 34.4 34.7 32.6 38.8 37.8
Country
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
United
States
0.3 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.3
Mexico
0.1 0.0 0.3 1.7 0.3 1.3 2.8
Total
Caribbean 4.8 5.2 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.4 2.4
DR-CAFTAa
4.9 5.1 5.5 5.3 5.3 4.8 5.9
Brazil
29.7 32.7 38.4 34.3 40.5 37.8 44.1
European Unionb 11.9 10.5 12.8 16.7 4.7 3.2 2.7
Australia
8.7 8.9 9.5 8.4 7.5 7.2 7.2
Rest
of
World 39.7 36.9 30.5 30.7 38.6 42.9 34.7
Country
2009/10E
2010/11F
United
States 0.4
0.3
Mexico
1.5
1.8
Total
Caribbean
2.2
1.7
DR-CAFTAa 5.6
5.6
Brazil
46.9
51.8
European Unionb
4.6
2.8
Australia
6.9
7.2
Rest
of
World
31.8
28.8
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: P = Preliminary.
F = Forecast.
a. DR-CAFTA includes Dominican Republic and Central America. 1995/1996-2003/2004 data are EU-15,
2004/2005-2005/2006 are EU-25, and 2006/2007 to present are EU-27.
b. The EU Includes French overseas departments of Reunion, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. EU trade data does
not Include intra trade. Beginning 2004/2005, the data reflects the EU enlargement by accession of 10
countries. EU exports include sugar-containing products.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Major U.S. Agricultural Imports
• High-value horticultural products (fruits, nuts, vegetables and preparations; wine
and malt beverages; nursery stock and flowers, and others) are the largest category
of U.S. agricultural imports, and are forecast to be $39.4 billion in FY2011.
• Other sizeable commodity imports forecast for FY2011 are grains and feeds ($8.2
billion), livestock and dairy ($8.9 billion), and oilseeds and products ($7.3 billion).
• Imports of tropical products such as coffee, cocoa, sugar, and products are forecast
to be $16.7 billion in FY2011.
Figure 19. Major Agricultural Imports by Commodity, FY2011F
Fruits, Nuts & Preps.
13.3
Vegetables & Preps.
9.5
Wine & Malt Beverage
8.3
Grains and Feeds
8.2
Coffee and Products
7.4
Oilseeds and Products
7.3
Sweeteners and Products
5.3
Red Meats
4.3
Cocoa and Products
4.0
Dairy Products
2.7
Essential Oils
2.6
Livestock and Products
1.9
Nursery and Cut Flowers
1.5
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
$ Billions
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. F = Forecast
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 19. Major U.S. Agricultural Imports, FY2011F
($ billions)
Commodity FY2011F
Fruits, Nuts & Preps.
13.3
Vegetables & Preps.
9.5
Wine & Malt Beverage
8.3
Grains and Feeds
8.2
Coffee and Products
7.4
Oilseeds and Products
7.3
Sweeteners and Products
5.3
Red Meats
4.3
Cocoa and Products
4.0
Dairy Products
2.7
Essential Oils
2.6
Livestock and Products
1.9
Nursery and Cut Flowers
1.5
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
70, May 26, 2011, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/ers/AES//2010s/2011/AES-05-26-2011.pdf.
Note: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin
• NAFTA partners Canada ($17.8 billion) and Mexico ($15.9 billion) and the EU-27
($14.5 billion) are forecast to be the source of more than 50% of total U.S.
agricultural imports ($93 billion) in FY2011.
• Agricultural imports from Brazil are expected to reach a forecast $3.4 billion in
FY2011; Indonesia is expected to ship $3.7 billion of farm products to the United
States in FY2011.
• Australia, with whom the United States entered into a free trade agreement (FTA)
in 2005, is forecast to provide the United States with $2.2 billion worth of
agricultural imports in FY2011. Colombia, a prospective FTA partner, is forecast
to ship $2.6 billion of farm products to the United States in FY2011.
Figure 20. U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin, FY2009-FY2011F
17.8
Canada
15.7
15.4
15.9
Mexico
13
11.3
15.5
European Union
14.2
13.6
3.4
Brazil
2.6
2.5
3.7
Indonesia
2.6
2
2.2
Australia
2.3
2.4
2.6
Colombia
1.9
1.8
1.9
New Zealand
1.6
1.8
0
5
10
15
20
$ Billions
2011F
2010
2009
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. F = Forecast
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 20. U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin, FY2009-FY2011F
($ billion)
Country FY2009
FY2010
FY2011F
Canada 15.4
15.7
17.8
Mexico 11.3
13.0
15.9
European Union
13.6
14.2
15.5
Brazil 2.5
2.6
3.4
Indonesia 2.0
2.6
3.7
Australia 2.4
2.3
2.2
Colombia 1.8
1.9
2.6
New Zealand
1.8
1.6
1.9
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
70, May 26, 2011, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/ers/AES//2010s/2011/AES-05-26-2011.pdf.
Notes: F = Forecast.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Regional Market Growth in U.S. Agricultural
Exports
• Economic growth in Asia has contributed to relatively consistent long-term growth
in U.S. agricultural exports to the region.
• Despite some year-to-year variation, the EU, the United States’ fifth-largest
agricultural export market, has been a relatively stable market for U.S. agricultural
exports with little growth since 1992.
• Agricultural exports to countries in the former Soviet Union have declined in value
since the 1992 break-up of the USSR.
• Agricultural exports to Latin America, including Mexico, and to Canada have
grown rapidly since the early 1990s due in part to geographic proximity and
NAFTA, among other factors.
Figure 21. Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1992-FY2011F
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
Canada
Former Soviet Union
Latin America
European Union
Asia
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. F = Forecast
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 21. Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports to Selected Markets, FY1992-FY2011F
($ billion)
European
Former
Year Asia
Union Latin
Americaa Soviet Union
Canada
1992 17.8
7.2
6.5
2.2
4.8
1993 17.8
7.2
6.9
1.6
5.2
1994 19.9
6.6
7.4
1.0
5.3
1995 24.0
8.4
8.2
1.2
5.8
1996 26.0
9.2
9.9
1.6
6.0
1997 23.9
9.0
10.0
1.3
6.6
1998 19.7
8.5
11.3
1.0
7.0
1999 18.5
7.0
10.4
0.8
7.0
2000 19.7
6.4
10.6
0.7
7.5
2001 20.1
6.5
11.6
1.1
8.0
2002 19.5
6.5
11.5
0.7
8.6
2003 21.7
6.3
12.4
0.7
9.1
2004 24.3
7.0
13.6
1.1
9.6
2005 22.5
7.2
14.4
1.2
10.4
2006 24.9
7.2
16.5
1.1
11.6
2007 29.3
8.0
20.0
1.4
13.3
2008 43.2
10.7
27.5
2.3
16.2
2009 37.8
7.6
22.8
1.8
15.5
2010 45.8
8.5
23.8
1.4
16.6
2011F 59.5
10.0
29.9
1.7
18.5
Rate of Growthb 6.22%
1.66%
7.93%
-1.28%
6.98%
Source: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
70, May 26, 2011, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/ers/AES//2010s/2011/AES-05-26-2011.pdf.
Notes: F = Forecast.
a. Including Mexico.
b. The rate of growth is the change in U.S. exports from 1992 to 2011F. Calculations were made by CRS using
a compound rate of growth calculator.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports to
Asian Markets
• Like the EU, Japan also has been a relatively stable and slow-growing market for
U.S. agricultural exports.
• U.S. agricultural exports to China, fueled by rates of GDP growth in excess of 9%,
have grown rapidly since the early 1990s (18.54%). FY2011 U.S. agricultural
exports to China are forecast to be more than 10 times their value in FY2001,
when China became a member of the World Trade Organization.
• Rapid income growth in Southeast Asia also has stimulated demand for U.S.
agricultural exports since 1992.
• Agricultural exports to South Asia also have shown growth since 1992.
Figure 22. Growth in Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets, FY1992-FY2011F
50
40
30
20
10
0
1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
China
South Asia
Southeast Asia
Japan
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. F = Forecast
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 22. Change in U.S. Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets, FY1992-FY2011F
($ billion)
Southeast
Year Japan
Asia South
Asia China
1992 8.4
1.5
0.5
0.7
1993 8.5
1.6
0.6
0.3
1994 9.2
1.8
0.6
0.9
1995 10.5
2.6
1.0
2.4
1996 11.9
3.4
0.7
1.8
1997 10.7
3.1
0.7
1.8
1998 9.5
2.3
0.6
1.5
1999 8.9
2.2
0.5
1.0
2000 9.4
2.6
0.4
1.5
2001 8.9
2.9
0.6
1.9
2002 8.3
2.9
0.8
1.8
2003 8.8
2.9
0.6
3.5
2004 8.5
3.1
0.7
6.1
2005 7.8
3.4
0.7
5.3
2006 8.2
3.4
0.7
6.6
2007 9.7
4.4
1.0
7.1
2008 13.1
7.1
1.2
11.2
2009 11.2
5.7
1.2
11.2
2010 11.2
7.3
1.5
15.1
2011F 13.0
10.0
2.2
21.0
Rate of Growtha
2.21% 9.95% 7.69% 18.54%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
70, May 26, 2011, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/ers/AES//2010s/2011/AES-05-26-2011.pdf.
Notes: F = Forecast.
a. The rate of growth is the change in U.S. exports from 1992 to 2010F. Calculations were made by CRS using
a compound rate of growth calculator.
Congressional Research Service
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Growth in Agricultural Exports to North and South
America
• Growth in U.S. agricultural trade with Canada and Mexico, both NAFTA trading
partners, and with Latin America has been particularly strong since 1992.
• U.S. agricultural exports to Canada are forecast to be $18.5 billion in FY2011.
• U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico are expected to be $17 billion in FY2011.
• U.S. agricultural exports to Latin America (excluding Mexico) are expected to
reach $12.9 billion in FY2011, up from $9.9 billion in FY2010.
Figure 23. Change in Agricultural Exports to North and South America,
FY1992-FY2011F
100
80
60
40
20
0
1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
NAFTA
Mexico
Canada
Latin America ex. Mexico
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. F = Forecast
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Table 23. Change in Agricultural Exports to North and South America,
FY1992-FY2011F
($ billion)
Latin America
Year
ex. Mexico
Canada
Mexico
NAFTA
1992 2.8
4.8
3.7
8.5
1993 3.3
5.2
3.7
8.9
1994 3.2
5.3
4.1
9.4
1995 4.5
5.8
3.7
9.5
1996 4.9
6.6
5.1
11.7
1997 4.9
6.6
5.1
11.7
1998 5.3
7.0
6.0
13.0
1999 4.7
7.0
5.7
12.7
2000 4.3
7.5
6.3
13.8
2001 4.3
8.0
7.3
15.3
2002 4.5
8.6
7.1
15.7
2003 4.8
9.1
7.6
16.7
2004 5.2
9.6
8.4
18.0
2005 5.2
10.4
9.3
19.7
2006 6.1
11.6
10.4
22.0
2007 7.7
13.3
12.3
25.6
2008 12.0
16.2
15.6
31.8
2009 9.3
15.5
13.5
29.0
2010 9.9
16.6
13.9
30.5
2011F 12.9
18.5
17.0
35.5
Rate of Growtha 7.94% 6.98% 7.92% 7.41%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
70, May 26, 2011, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/ers/AES//2010s/2011/AES-05-26-2011.pdf.
Notes: F = Forecast.
a. The rate of growth is the change in U.S. exports from 1992 to 2011F. Calculations were made by CRS
using a compound rate of growth calculator.
Congressional Research Service
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
U.S. Agricultural and Trade Policies
Domestic Support
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246, 2008 farm bill) was enacted into
law in June 2008 and will govern most federal farm and food policies through 2012. The 2008
farm bill provides price and income support to U.S. agricultural producers through 2012. In
addition, the farm bill authorizes programs for conservation, rural development, nutrition
(domestic food assistance), trade, and food aid administered by USDA. Budgetary outlays for all
U.S. agricultural programs were $129.5 billion in FY2010.1
By one widely used measure, the producer support estimate (PSE) calculated by the Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United States provided an estimated
$30.6 billion in agricultural support to producers in 2009 (provisional estimate).2 PSEs measure
assistance to producers in terms of the value of monetary transfers generated by agricultural
policy. Transfers are paid by consumers or by taxpayers in the form of market price support,
direct payments, or other support. They are a broader measure of support than direct government
spending alone. The percentage PSE measures support in relation to gross farm receipts. As a
percent of gross farm receipts, the PSE for the United States is 10% in 2009, the third-lowest
among OECD countries (Figure 24, Table 24). OECD attributes an increase of 2% (over 2008) in
the PSE expected for the United States for 2009 to an increase in market price support for dairy.
Over a longer period, the trend in producer support in the United States has been downward,
dropping from a PSE of 22% in 1986-1988 to 10% in 2009. Among U.S. commodities, sugar is
the most highly subsidized product in the United States, with a provisional single commodity
transfer estimated at 21% of the gross value of sugar production in 2009 (Figure 25, Table 25).
1 U.S. Department of Agriculture, at http://www.obpa.usda.gov/budsum/FY12budsum.pdf.
2 OECD countries include Australia, Canada, the European Union, Iceland, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway,
Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 24. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in Selected OECD Countries
Australia
EU
Japan
Korea
U.S.
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1986-1988
2007-2009
2007
2008
2009P
Source: OECD 2010
P = Provisional
Table 24. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in Selected OECD Countries
(percent)
Country 1986-1988
2007-2009 2007 2008 2009P
Australia 10
4 5 4 3
EU
39
23 24 22 24
Japan
64
47 46 48 48
Korea
68
52 58 46 52
U.S.
22
9
10
8
10
Source: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Agricultural Policies in OECD
Countries: At a Glance 2010.
Note: P = Provisional.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Figure 25. Producer Single Commodity Transfers (PSCs):
Selected Commodities in the United States
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
-10
1986-88
2007-2009
2007
2008
2009P
Wheat
Corn
Rice
Soybeans
Sugar
Milk
Beef and Veal
Source: OECD 2010
P = Provisional
Table 25. Producer Single Commodity Transfers (PSC) in the United States,
by Commodity
(percent)
1986-1988
Products
(Average) 2007-2009
2007
2008
2009P
Wheat 46.5
6.1
7.6
0.2
14.4
Corn 34.8
0.6
0.5
2.8
-0.5
Rice 50.2
0.6
0.7
0.4
1.1
Soybeans 1.7
1.8
0.6
5.6
-0.8
Sugar 55.9
27.3
34.1
26.3
20.8
Milk 34.9
13.0
24.8
0.0
14.3
Beef and Veal
1.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Agricultural Policies in OECD
Countries: At a Glance 2010.
Note: P = Provisional.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
Trade Measures
With agricultural exports totaling $137 billion in FY2011, the United States is the world’s largest
exporter of agricultural products. The United States applies tariffs and tariff quotas3 to products
entering the United States from abroad. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the
United States average applied tariff for agricultural products is 8.9%, which is slightly above the
average applied U.S. tariff for non-agricultural products (4%), but relatively low compared to
other WTO member countries.4 About 170 tariff lines (a tariff line is a product as described in a
schedule or list of tariffs) are subject to tariff quotas, including beef, dairy products, and sugar.
The average in-quota tariff was 9.1% in 2007, while the out-of-quota was 42%.5
Under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, the United States made export subsidy reduction
commitments for 13 commodities.6 The 2008 farm bill repealed authority for the Export
Enhancement Program (EEP), which was used to fund subsidies for those products, with the
exception of dairy products. Export subsidies, in the form of cash bonuses, can be provided to
exporters of dairy products under the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP), which was
reauthorized in the 2008 farm bill through 2012. Prior to its repeal, no expenditures were made
for EEP from FY2002. Spurred by declining prices for dairy products in 2008-2009, USDA
announced in May 2009 DEIP allocations for nonfat dry milk, butter fat, and cheeses. DEIP
bonuses of $19 million were awarded in FY2009. In FY2010, DEIP bonuses of $2 million were
awarded.
A federally chartered public corporation operated by USDA, the Commodity Credit Corporation
(CCC), makes credit guarantees available to private financial institutions who finance the
purchase of U.S. agricultural exports. Under the GSM-102, the CCC guarantees repayment of
credit made available to finance U.S. agricultural exports on credit terms of up to three years.
Exporters tallied $3.1 billion of agricultural exports under the GSM-102 program. The CCC also
operates the Facilities Guarantee Program (FGP), which guarantees credit to U.S. banks that
finance export sales of U.S. goods and services that are used to improve agricultural export-
related facilities in emerging markets (storage, processing, and handling facilities).
Export market development programs, the Market Access Program (MAP), and the Foreign
Market Development Program (FMDP) assist producer groups, associations, and firms with
promotional and other activities.
Food Aid
The United States is the world’s leading supplier of food aid. It provides more than half of the
global total.
3 A tariff quota is defined by WTO as a trade measure applied at the border where quantities inside a quota are charged
lower import duty rates than those outside (which can be high).
4 WTO, Trade Policy Review: United States 20108, p. 90, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/
tp_rep_e.htm#bycountry.
5 Ibid, p. 81.
6 Wheat and wheat flour, coarse grains, rice, vegetable oils, butter and butter oil, skim milk powder, cheese, other milk
products, bovine meat, pigmeat, poultry meat, live dairy cattle, and eggs.
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U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy
The United States provides food aid mainly through P.L. 480, also known as the Food for Peace
Program. Wheat and wheat flour are the main commodities provided as food aid, but rice and
vegetable oils are also important in P.L. 480 programs. Higher-value products are made available
in special feeding programs. Responsibility for implementing food aid programs is shared by
USDA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID).
P.L. 480 food aid is provided on a grant basis through Title II of the Food for Peace Act of 2008,
the successor legislation of the Agricultural Trade and Development Assistance Act of 1954 (P.L.
480). Two other food aid programs are conducted under Section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of
1949 and the Food for Progress Act of 1985. The former provides surplus CCC inventories, if
available, as donations; the latter provides concessional credit terms or commodity donations to
support emerging democracies or countries making free market economic reforms. A recently
enacted food aid program, the McGovern-Dole School Food for Education Program, finances
school feeding and child nutrition projects in poor countries.
Author Contact Information
Charles E. Hanrahan
Beverly A. Banks
Senior Specialist in Agricultural Policy
Acquisitions Assistant
chanrahan@crs.loc.gov, 7-7235
bbanks@crs.loc.gov, 7-3485
Carol Canada
Information Research Specialist
ccanada@crs.loc.gov, 7-7619
Congressional Research Service
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