In 2022, the United States agricultural sector achieved a record high in export performance, with sales of farm and food products reaching $196 billion, marking an 11 percent increase from 2021. This growth signifies the most successful export year for American agriculture to date, as confirmed by the final trade data from the Commerce Department.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack attributed this success to various strategic actions, including strengthening trade relationships, ensuring trading partners fulfill their commitments, investing in infrastructure to bolster supply chains, reducing trade barriers, and collaborating with industry partners to market U.S. products globally.
Notably, sales grew in each of the United States’ top ten agricultural export markets. China, Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Colombia saw their highest levels of agricultural purchases from the U.S. to date. Vilsack also emphasized the intention to explore new opportunities in emerging markets across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. There were 30 markets where U.S. exports surpassed $1 billion in 2022, up from 27 in the previous year.
Key exports included soybeans, corn, beef, dairy, cotton, and tree nuts, constituting over half of the total export value. Records were also set in the international sales of soybeans, cotton, dairy, beef, ethanol, poultry, soybean meal, distilled spirits, and distillers’ grains.
Vilsack concluded by acknowledging the significant role of American farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers in creating and sustaining these opportunities, which contribute to the prosperity of rural communities and the U.S. economy, while fulfilling the demand of international customers.
The record-setting export numbers for U.S. agriculture in 2022 exemplify the sector’s robust health and the successful execution of strategic trade policies. As the industry forges ahead, the contributions of American farmers and agricultural workers remain pivotal, not only in supporting domestic economic growth but also in catering to the diverse and expanding needs of global consumers. The outlook is bright as the U.S. continues to build on its legacy as a world-leading provider of agricultural products, with an eye on expanding its reach into new and promising international markets.