Biotech Updates

US Agricultural Exports Total $108 Billion

June 5, 2008

The United States agricultural exports forecast is estimated to be a record high of $108.5 billion in 2008. This is about $26.5 billion more than 2007 exports. U.S. Agricultural Secretary Ed Schafer said that grains and animal products account for two-thirds of the export gains.

"America's increased export volume in bulk commodities like corn, other animal feeds and soybeans make agriculture the bright spot in the overall balance of trade," said Schafer. "U.S. producers are on track to export a record 63 million tons of corn, and set new export volume and value records for pork. Export volumes and values are also up for many horticultural products with sales growth to Canada and the European Union being exceptionally strong."

Access the summary and full report of USDA's "Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade" from the Economic Research Service website at http://www.ers.usda.gov/ or the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) website at http://www.fas.usda.gov/ . For the FAS press release visit http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?PrNum=0094-08