The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its third quarter Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade recently and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the strong pace of American ag exports continues. with a trade surplus of more than 23-billion dollars.
This fiscal year, exports are forecast to be the third-highest on record.
From 2009 to 2014, Vilsack says U.S. ag product exports have totaled more than 770-billion dollars, representing the strongest six-years for U.S. ag trade in history.
He says expanded U.S. trade overall has added roughly $13,000 to every American family’s income on average.
This forecast underscores how free trade agreements have benefited the American economy through farm goods, according to Vilsack.
In the combined 20 countries where the U.S. has free trade agreements, he says ag exports have remained relatively steady so far this fiscal year.
He reiterates the need for trade promotion authority because without it, he says American ag suffers as competitors negotiate their own agreements and lower global standards when it comes to environmental impact, consumer safety and working conditions.
