U.S. Agricultural Trade: Trends, Composition, Direction, and Policy







Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress



U.S. agricultural exports for FY2008 are forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reach
a record $91 billion, while agricultural imports are expected to reach $75.5 billion, also a record
level. The agricultural trade surplus is projected to be $15.5 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. Much of the growth in U.S. export value in

2007 is due to increased bulk exports.


Leading markets for U.S. agricultural exports are Canada, Mexico, Japan, the European Union,
China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The United States dominates world markets for corn, wheat,
and cotton. Brazil has overtaken the United States as the world’s leading supplier of soybeans and
is the world’s leading supplier of beef and poultry to world markets. 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, are recovering as more countries re-open markets to U.S. product. The United States,
European Union, Australia, and New Zealand are dominant suppliers of dairy products in global
agricultural trade.
Most U.S. agricultural imports are high-value products. The biggest import suppliers are the
European Union and NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico, which together provide 55% of total
U.S. agricultural imports. Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Colombia are also
major suppliers of agricultural imports to the United States.
Among the fastest-growing markets for U.S. agricultural exports are Canada and Mexico, both
partners with the United States in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). U.S.
agricultural exports to China, a member of the World Trade Organization since 2001, have grown
at an annual rate of 15% since 1992.
Both the EU and the United States subsidize their agricultural sectors, but overall the EU
outspends the United States five to one. Recent reforms of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy
shift substantial spending into direct income support decoupled from production and into rural
development. Canada supports some sectors (e.g., dairy and poultry) more than others. Australia
provides less support to its agriculture. EU and U.S. export subsidies are declining largely in
response to policy changes and market forces. Border measures (tariffs) are more important in
Canada than in either the United States or the EU. Australia operates a mix of trade measures. The
United States is the dominant supplier of foreign food aid, followed by the EU, Canada, and
Australia. U.S. food aid is almost exclusively in the form of commodities, while other donors
provide a mix of cash and commodities.






U.S. Agricultural Exports, Imports, and Trade Balance............................................................1
Shares of U.S. Crop Production Exported: Selected Commodities..........................................2
Shares of U.S. Livestock Production Exported: Selected Commodities...................................4
Composition of U.S. Agricultural Exports: Major Commodity Components...........................5
Composition of U.S. Agricultural Exports: Bulk, Consumer-Ready, and Intermediate
Product Exports......................................................................................................................6
Major Country Markets for U.S. Agricultural Exports.............................................................8
World Export Market Shares: Crops.......................................................................................10
World Market Shares: Livestock and Dairy............................................................................16
World Market Shares: Sugar...................................................................................................24
Major U.S. Agricultural Imports.............................................................................................26
U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin.....................................................................27
Regional Market Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports...........................................................28
Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets..........................................................30
Growth in Agricultural Exports to North and South America.................................................32
Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in Selected OECD Countries.........................................33
Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in the United States and the European Union:
Selected Commodities..........................................................................................................35
Domestic Support and Export Subsidies in the United States and the European Union:
Budgetary Outlays................................................................................................................37
Figure 1. U.S. Agricultural Exports, Imports, and the Trade Balance, FY1998-FY2008F.............1
Figure 2. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Share of U.S. Production Exported, 1990/91-
2007/08F....................................................................................................................... ................ 3
Figure 3. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Production of Livestock Exported,
1990-2008F .................................................................................................................................. 4
Figure 4. U.S. Agricultural Exports of Major Commodities, FY2007............................................6
Figure 5. U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1990-FY2007: Bulk, Consumer-Oriented, and
Intermediate Product Exports.......................................................................................................7
Figure 6. Major Country Markets for U.S. Exports, FY2006-FY2008F.........................................9
Figure 7. Shares of World Exports of Wheat and Wheat Products, 2007/08F..............................10
Figure 8. Shares of World Exports of Rice, 2007/08F..................................................................12
Figure 9. Shares of World Exports of Corn, 2007/08F..................................................................13
Figure 10. Shares of World Exports of Soybeans, 2007/08F.........................................................14
Figure 11. Shares of World Exports of Cotton, 2007/08F.............................................................15
Figure 12. Shares of World Exports of Beef and Veal, 2008F.......................................................17
Figure 13. Shares of World Pork Exports, 2008F..........................................................................18
Figure 14. Shares of World Poultry Meat Exports, 2008F............................................................19
Figure 15. Shares of World Nonfat Dry Milk Exports, 2008F......................................................21





Figure 16. Shares of World Cheese Exports, 2008F......................................................................22
Figure 17. Shares of World Butter Exports, 2008F.......................................................................23
Figure 18. Shares of World Centrifugal Sugar Exports, 2007/08F................................................25
Figure 19. Major Agricultural Imports by Commodity, FY2007..................................................26
Figure 20. U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin, FY2006-FY2008F..........................28
Figure 21. Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1992-FY2008F............................................29
Figure 22. Growth in Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets, FY1992-FY2008F........................31
Figure 23. Growth in the Agricultural Exports to North and South America, FY1992-
FY2008F .................................................................................................................................... 32
Figure 24. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in Selected OECD Countries..............................34
Figure 25. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs): Selected Commodities in the United
St ates .......................................................................................................................................... 35
Figure 26. Producer Support Estimate (PSEs) in the European Union.........................................36
Table 1. U.S. Agricultural Exports and Imports, FY1988-FY2008F...............................................1
Table 2. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Production Exported, 1990/91-
2007/08F....................................................................................................................... ................ 3
Table 3. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Production of Livestock Exported,
1990-2008F .................................................................................................................................. 5
Table 4. U.S. Agricultural Exports of Major Commodities, FY2007..............................................6
Table 5. U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1990-FY2007: Total, Bulk, Consumer-Ready, and
Intermediate Product Exports.......................................................................................................7
Table 6. Major Country Markets for U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY2006-FY2008F......................9
Table 7. Shares of World Exports of Wheat and Wheat Products, 1995/96-2007/08F...................11
Table 8. Shares of World Exports of Rice, 1994/95-2007/08F......................................................12
Table 9. Shares of World Exports of Corn, 1995/96-2007/08F.....................................................13
Table 10. Shares of World Exports of Soybeans, 1995/96-2007/08F............................................14
Table 11. Shares of World Exports of Cotton, 1995/96-2007/08F................................................16
Table 12. Shares of World Exports of Beef and Veal, 1995-2008F...............................................17
Table 13. Shares of World Pork Exports, 1994-2008F..................................................................18
Table 14. Shares of World Total Poultry Meat Exports, 1994-2008F............................................20
Table 15. Shares of World Nonfat Dry Milk Exports, 1995-2008F...............................................21
Table 16. Shares of World Cheese Exports, 1994-2008F..............................................................22
Table 17. Shares of World Butter Exports, 1994-2008F................................................................24
Table 18. Shares of World Centrifugal Sugar Exports, 1995/96-2007/08F...................................25
Table 19. Major U.S. Agricultural Imports, FY2007.....................................................................27





Table 20. U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin, FY2006-FY2008F............................28
Table 21. Change in U.S. Agricultural Exports to Selected Markets, FY1992-FY2008F.............29
Table 22. Change in U.S. Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets, FY1992-FY2008F.................31
Table 23. Change in Agricultural Exports to North and South America, FY1992-FY2008F........33
Table 24. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in Selected OECD Countries................................34
Table 25. Producer Support Estimates (PSE) in the United States by Commodity.......................36
Table 26. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in the European Union.........................................37
Table 27. U.S. and EU Government Spending on Agricultural Support, 2005-2007E.................37
Table 28. Agricultural and Trade Policies in the United States and the European Union.............38
Table 29. Agricultural and Trade Policies in Canada and Australia..............................................40
Author Contact Information..........................................................................................................41





• The value of U.S. agricultural exports, supported by a weak dollar, strong foreign
demand, and high prices for many products, is forecast by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to reach $91 billion in FY2008, a record high.
• U.S. agricultural imports, forecast to reach a record $75.5 billion in FY2008, reflect
strong U.S. demand for imported foods, despite a weak dollar and negative effects on
disposable income from high fuel prices and the housing slump.
• The $15.5 billion U.S. agricultural trade surplus forecast for FY2008 is more than
half of its all-time high—$27 billion—reached in FY1996.
Figure 1. U.S. Agricultural Exports, Imports, and the Trade Balance, FY1998-FY2008F
Table 1. U.S. Agricultural Exports and Imports, FY1988-FY2008F
($ 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





Year Exports Imports Balance
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 81.9 70.0 11.9
2008F 91.0 75.5 15.5
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
56, November 30, 2007, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/AES/AES-11-30-2007.pdf.
Note: F= Forecast
• USDA estimates that production from one-third of harvested acreage is exported.
• In FY2008, a forecast 58% of the U.S. wheat crop will be exported, while 18% of the
U.S. corn crop would move into world markets. Corn’s slightly declining export share of
production reflects competition from strong domestic demand for corn for livestock feed
and for ethanol production.
• The export shares of soybeans and cotton in FY2008 are forecast to reach 38% and

88%, respectively.





Figure 2. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Share of U.S. Production Exported, 1990/91-
2007/08F
Table 2. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Production Exported, 1990/91-
2007/08F
(percent)
Year Wheat Corn Cotton Soybeans
1990/91 38.4 22.1 50.2 28.9
1991/92 65.5 21.4 37.7 34.4
1992/93 55.5 17.7 32.0 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 42.8 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 54.1 36.8
2002/03 52.2 18.0 69.1 37.9
2003/04 50.6 19.0 75.3 36.1





Year Wheat Corn Cotton Soybeans
2004/05 48.5 15.1 62.0 35.1
2005/06 47.9 19.9 73.5 30.7
2006/07 50.7 20.2 60.3 35.1
2007/08F 57.8 18.5 85.3 38.4
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.
• Beef exports, which grew from around 4% of production in 1990 to almost 10% in
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 2008
is forecast to be 6.5%.
• Pork exports as a share of production have grown substantially, from less that 2% in

1990 to a forecast 14% in 2008.


• Poultry’s export share of production has more than doubled since 1990, from 6.2% to
a forecast 15.3% in 2008.
Figure 3. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Production of Livestock Exported,
1990-2008F





Table 3. U.S. Agricultural Exports: Shares of U.S. Production of Livestock Exported,
1990-2008F
(percent)
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 8.1 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 14.7
2007 5.4 13.9 15.4
2008F 6.5 14.3 15.3
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.
• The United States exports a wide range of agricultural products, including
horticultural products, livestock products and poultry, and field crops.
• Horticultural product exports (fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and their preparations)—
valued at $17.9 billion in FY2007—are the leading commodity components of U.S.
agricultural exports.
• Oilseeds (mainly soybeans) and oilseed products (mainly meal and oil)—valued at
$14 billion in FY2007—comprise the second largest category of U.S. agricultural
exports.
• Livestock and poultry products together amounted to $13.9 billion in FY2007.
• Field crop exports (feed grains, wheat, cotton, and tobacco) accounted for just under
$22 billion of U.S. agricultural exports in FY2007.





Figure 4. U.S. Agricultural Exports of Major Commodities, FY2007
Table 4. U.S. Agricultural Exports of Major Commodities, FY2007
Commodity ($ Billion)
Horticultural Products 17.9
Oilseeds and Products 13.7
Livestock Products 10.1
Feed Grains 9.8
Cotton 4.3
Wheat 6.4
Poultry/Prods. 3.8
Tobacco 1.1
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
56, November 30, 2007, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/AES/AES-11-30-2007.pdf.
• 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 includes both processed products such as breakfast cereals and
products such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Until 1990, bulk agricultural exports were the mainstay of U.S. farm export trade.
Since FY1991, the total of high-value (intermediate and consumer-ready) products has
exceeded the value of bulk agricultural exports.
• In FY2007, high-value exports accounted for 60% of total U.S. agricultural exports
and bulk exports for 40%. The growth in U.S. agricultural exports in FY2007 is due
largely to increased exports of bulk commodities.
Figure 5. U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1990-FY2007: Bulk, Consumer-Oriented, and
Intermediate Product Exports
Table 5. U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1990-FY2007: 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





Year Total Bulk % of Total Consumer-Oriented % of Total Intermediate % of Total
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 20,928,673 36.5 12,125,869 21.2
1998 53,661,663 20,925,957 39.0 20,716,672 38.6 12,019,034 22.4
1999 49,118,260 18,596,897 37.9 19,969,550 40.7 10,551,813 21.5
2000 50,761,767 18,580,955 36.6 21,568,538 42.5 10,612,274 20.9
2001 52,716,911 18,436,458 35.0 22,673,764 43.0 11,606,689 22.0
2002 53,319,318 19,122,275 35.9 21,807,002 40.9 12,390,041 23.2
2003 56,013,986 21,224,523 37.9 22,848,832 40.8 11,940,632 21.3
2004 62,408,831 26,903,911 43.1 23,361,967 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 68,592,659 25,619,902 37.4 29,363,487 42.8 13,609,271 19.8
2007 81,947,137 32,681,114 39.9 33,139,606 40.4 16,126,417 19.7
Source: Data in this table are compiled from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service
databases, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/bico/bico_frm.asp.
• Canada and Mexico, both U.S. partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), are the first- and second-largest markets for U.S. agricultural exports. Total
U.S. agricultural exports to these two countries in FY2008 are forecast to exceed $28
billion.
• Japan ($10.8 billion), which was the number one U.S. destination for agricultural
products for many years, is the third-largest export destination.
• The EU-27, forecast to be the fourth largest U.S. export market with $8.9 billion in
FY2008, is followed closely by China, which has become the fifth largest U.S. farm
export market with $7.8 billion. (China-Hong Kong combined—a forecast $9.1 billion—
would occupy the fourth place as an overseas market for U.S. agricultural exports for
FY2008.)
• Other Asian markets—South Korea and Taiwan—also are major markets for U.S.
agricultural exports with forecast values of $3.5 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively.





Figure 6. Major Country Markets for U.S. Exports, FY2006-FY2008F
Table 6. Major Country Markets for U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY2006-FY2008F
($ billion)
Country 2006 2007 2008F
Canada 11.6 13.2 14.7
Mexico 10.4 12.3 13.7
Japan 8.2 9.7 10.4
EU-27 7.2 8.1 8.9
China 6.6 7.0 7.8
South Korea 2.7 3.2 3.5
Taiwan 2.4 2.9 3.3
Russia 0.9 1.1 1.3
Turkey 1.0 1.4 1.5
Hong Kong 0.9 1.1 1.3
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
56, November 30, 2007, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/AES/AES-11-30-2007.pdf.
Note: F=Forecast





• Wheat: Although it has lost export market share over the last decade, the United
States remains the major supplier of wheat and wheat products to the world market, with
a forecast share of 30% in marketing year 2007/2008. Argentina, Canada, and the EU are
major competitors in this market (see Figure 7 and Table 7).
• Rice: Thailand (30% forecast for 2008) is the world’s dominant rice exporter; but
Vietnam (17%) has emerged as a major competitor. India’s export market share in 2007 is
forecast to be 11% (see Figure 8 and Table 8).
• Corn: The United States dominates the world market for corn with a 2007 forecast
export share of 67% (see Figure 9 and Table 9).
• Soybeans: Brazil has overtaken the United States as the world’s main supplier of
soybeans with a 2008 forecast share of 41%. The U.S. share has declined from 73% in
1995/1996 to a forecast of 41% in 2007/2008, while over the same period, Brazil’s share
grew from 11% to 41%. (see Figure 10 and Table 10).
• Cotton: U.S. cotton exports are estimated to be 39% of the world total in 2007/2008.
Competitors include Uzbekistan (11%) and West/Central African countries (7%) (see
Figure 11 and Table 11).
Figure 7. Shares of World Exports of Wheat and Wheat Products, 2007/08F





Table 7. Shares of World Exports of Wheat and Wheat Products, 1995/96-2007/08F
(percent)
Country 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02
Argentina 4.5 9.7 9.4 9.0 9.9 11.1 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 17.0 15.5
European Uniona 13.3 17.1 13.6 14.3 18.2 15.3 11.8
Kazakhstan, Rep. 4.3 2.2 3.4 2.3 5.8 3.9 3.7
United States 34.1 26.2 27.1 28.4 26.3 27.4 24.3
Rest of World 14.4 9.8 11.4 16.1 7.2 9.0 18.6
Country 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07E 2007/08F
Argentina 5.9 7.1 12.0 7.3 10.6 10.3
Australia 10.2 14.6 14.0 13.4 9.8 7.5
Canada 8.8 15.0 13.5 13.8 16.9 13.6
European Uniona 16.9 9.5 13.4 13.9 12.1 8.4
Kazakhstan, Rep. 5.8 4.1 2.7 3.4 7.0 7.5
United States 21.3 31.2 25.3 24.2 21.8 30.4
Rest of World 31.1 18.5 19.5 24.0 21.9 22.3
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: July-June marketing year.
E = Estimate
F = Forecast
a. 1995/96-1998/99 data are EU-15 and 1990/00 to present are EU-27.





Figure 8. Shares of World Exports of Rice, 2007/08F
Table 8. Shares of World Exports of Rice, 1994/95-2007/08F
(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 28.8 30.8
United States 14.6 13.3 12.2 11.5 10.7 12.5 10.4
Vietnam 11.1 15.4 17.6 13.7 18.4 14.8 14.4
Rest of World 17.1 16.1 17.0 14.2 14.7 15.7 19.1
Country 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07E 2007/08F
China 7.0 9.4 3.2 2.3 4.2 4.5 5.4
India 23.9 16.0 11.7 16.2 15.7 13.1 11.4
Pakistan 5.8 7.1 7.3 10.5 12.4 9.0 10.7
Thailand 26.0 27.4 37.3 25.1 25.5 32.5 30.2
United States 11.8 13.9 11.4 13.3 13.4 10.7 11.7





Vietnam 11.6 13.8 15.8 17.8 16.3 15.9 16.8
Rest of World 13.8 12.4 13.3 14.9 12.5 14.2 13.8
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: July-June marketing year.
E = Estimate
F = Forecast
Figure 9. Shares of World Exports of Corn, 2007/08F
Table 9. Shares of World Exports of Corn, 1995/96-2007/08F
(percent)
Country 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02
Argentina 10.7 15.3 20.2 11.4 12.3 16.1 11.8
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
United States 81.4 70.0 59.9 75.7 68.4 63.7 64.9
Rest of World 4.9 6.5 8.4 6.8 4.4 8.8 9.9
Country 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07E 2007/08F
Argentina 16.1 13.2 18.1 13.0 17.3 16.1
China 19.8 9.6 10.0 4.5 5.8 1.6





South Africa, Rep. 1.5 1.0 2.0 1.7 0.5 0.9
United States 52.4 61.7 59.7 67.9 59.7 66.7
Rest of World 10.2 14.5 10.2 12.9 16.7 14.6
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: October-September marketing year.
E = Estimate
F = Forecast
Figure 10. Shares of World Exports of Soybeans, 2007/08F
Table 10. Shares of World Exports of Soybeans, 1995/96-2007/08F
(percent)
Country 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02
Argentina 6.6 2.1 8.0 8.9 9.0 13.8 11.3
Brazil 10.9 22.9 22.1 23.3 24.3 28.7 27.4
Canada 1.9 1.3 1.9 2.3 2.1 1.4 0.9
Paraguay 5.0 5.8 5.8 6.0 4.4 4.7 4.3
United States 73.0 65.6 60.0 57.2 58.2 50.3 54.7
Rest of World 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.2 1.9 1.2 1.3





Country 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07E 2007/08F
Argentina 14.3 12.0 14.8 11.3 13.4 13.9
Brazil 32.1 36.3 31.1 40.5 33.0 40.7
Canada 1.2 1.6 1.7 2.1 2.4 1.7
Paraguay 4.6 4.9 4.5 3.9 5.8 5.7
United States 46.5 42.9 46.1 40.0 42.8 35.9
Rest of World 1.3 2.2 1.8 2.3 2.6 2.1
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
Figure 11. Shares of World Exports of Cotton, 2007/08F





Table 11. Shares of World Exports of Cotton, 1995/96-2007/08F
(percent)
Country 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02
Australia 5.3 8.9 10.1 12.9 11.8 14.9 10.8
West/Central Africaa 10.2 12.3 13.5 15.3 13.7 12.4 12.2
United States 28.1 25.6 28.1 18.3 24.8 25.7 37.9
Uzbekistan 16.5 17.0 17.1 16.2 15.4 13.1 12.0
Rest of World 39.8 36.3 31.0 37.3 34.2 33.9 27.1
Country 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07E 2007/08F
Australia 8.8 6.5 5.7 6.5 5.7 3.4
West/Central Africaa 12.5 13.3 11.8 10.0 10.1 7.4
United States 39.2 41.4 41.2 39.4 34.6 39.2
Uzbekistan 11.2 9.3 11.3 10.8 12.0 11.0
Rest of World 28.3 29.4 30.0 33.4 37.6 39.1
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
a. Includes Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, CAR, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
• Beef: Brazil, with 33% (forecast) of world exports in 2008, has emerged as the
world’s largest supplier of beef to world markets. The U.S. share of world beef exports,
18% in 2003, has declined to a forecast 10% for 2008, due to continuing effects of mad
cow disease on global beef trade and U.S. (See Figure 12 and Table 12).
• Pork: The United States (28%) and the EU (22%) are forecast to be the world’s
largest exporters of pork in 2008 (Figure 13 and Table 13).
• Poultry: Brazil is the world’s leading supplier of poultry meat (41% forecast for
2008). The United States, with 34% of world exports, and the EU (9%) have lost market
share to Brazil in recent years (Figure 14 and Table 14).
• Dairy Products: In 2008, New Zealand (28%), the United States (25%), and
Australia (15%) are forecast to be the leading suppliers of nonfat dry milk to world
markets. The EU (46%) dominates the world market for cheese, while New Zealand
(50%) is the world’s largest exporter of butter.





Figure 12. Shares of World Exports of Beef and Veal, 2008F
Table 12. Shares of World Exports of Beef and Veal, 1995-2008F
(percent)
Country 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Argentina 9.8 9.6 7.9 5.6 6.3 6.2 3.0
European Uniona 22.0 21.3 18.8 14.3 17.8 11.5 10.8
United States 15.1 16.4 16.7 18.1 19.1 19.5 18.1
Brazil 4.2 4.3 4.0 5.6 8.1 8.6 13.2
Australia 20.3 19.8 20.4 23.3 22.2 23.3 24.7
New Zealand 9.1 9.7 8.8 9.0 7.7 8.4 8.7
Rest of World 19.4 18.9 23.3 24.1 18.8 22.5 21.5
Country 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008F
Argentina 5.5 6.0 9.6 10.8 7.8 7.0 6.7
European Uniona 9.2 6.9 5.7 3.6 3.0 2.3 2.2
United States 17.7 18.1 3.3 4.5 7.3 8.6 9.7
Brazil 14.0 18.4 25.1 26.5 29.3 31.9 33.1
Australia 21.8 19.7 21.3 19.9 20.1 19.3 17.3





New Zealand 7.7 8.7 9.3 8.3 7.5 6.9 6.6
Rest of World 24.0 22.2 25.8 26.4 25.0 24.0 24.4
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. 1995-1998 data are EU-15 and 1999 to present are EU-27.
Figure 13. Shares of World Pork Exports, 2008F
Table 13. Shares of World Pork Exports, 1994-2008F
(percent)
Country 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Canada 15.5 13.8 14.6 14.9 10.8 20.4 21.5
United States 15.1 15.8 16.5 19.2 11.3 18.0 20.9
European Uniona 32.7 30.9 33.1 35.7 31.1 41.2 28.7
China, People’s Republic of 4.4 4.9 7.0 7.0 2.8 4.4 6.6
Taiwan 16.1 13.9 2.4 0.1
Rest of World 16.1 20.7 26.4 23.1 43.8 15.9 22.2





Country 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008F
Canada 22.2 23.4 20.7 21.7 20.6 20.2 19.9
United States 18.8 18.7 21.1 24.2 25.9 26.6 28.0
European Uniona 25.5 27.3 27.7 22.9 24.4 24.6 21.9
China, People’s Republic of 7.9 9.5 11.4 10.8 11.3 8.5 8.7
Taiwan — — — — —
Rest of World 25.7 21.0 19.1 20.4 17.7 20.0 21.5
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: P = Preliminary
F = Forecast
— = Less than 0.1%
a. 1995-1998 data are EU-15 and 1999 to present are EU-27.
Figure 14. Shares of World Poultry Meat Exports, 2008F





Table 14. Shares of World Total Poultry Meat Exports, 1994-2008F
(percent)
Country 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
United States 41.3 41.9 49.2 47.1 40.1 40.3 40.3
Brazil 10.0 11.7 15.3 13.9 14.2 15.7 19.6
European Uniona NA NA 18.0 19.1 14.9 13.1 10.3
China (PRC) 6.2 6.6 8.2 7.7 7.2 8.4 7.8
Rest of World 42.5 39.8 9.4 12.1 23.6 22.5 21.9
Country 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008F
United States 33.2 37.5 36.3 35.1 36.7 36.4 33.7
Brazil 24.0 32.0 40.4 40.7 38.9 40.5 41.4
European Uniona 11.6 12.1 12.2 10.3 10.7 9.8 9.4
China (PRC) 6.7 6.5 4.0 4.9 5.0 4.9 5.2
Rest of World 24.5 11.9 7.2 8.9 8.6 10.3 10.2
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.





Figure 15. Shares of World Nonfat Dry Milk Exports, 2008F
Table 15. Shares of World Nonfat Dry Milk Exports, 1995-2008F
(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 24.5 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 20.8 21.8 13.6 10.5 15.7
Rest of World 67.4 70.8 18.0 21.4 29.0 36.7 33.1
Country 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008F
Canada 3.7 2.4 1.1 0.5 1.2 0.7 0.7
United States 9.6 9.3 16.0 23.2 26.3 21.0 24.9
European Uniona 20.0 22.3 19.2 15.9 8.1 14.0 14.1
Australia 17.7 12.8 13.0 11.8 17.3 14.4 15.2
New Zealand 19.0 20.8 21.2 18.5 22.3 26.9 28.3
Rest of World 30.0 32.3 29.5 30.1 24.9 23.0 16.8
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.





Notes: NA= Not Available
P= Preliminary
F= Forecast
a. 1997-1998 data are EU-15 and 1999 to present are EU-27.
Figure 16. Shares of World Cheese Exports, 2008F
Table 16. Shares of World Cheese Exports, 1994-2008F
(percent)
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 2008F
European Uniona 30.3 31.3 29.7 28.7 31.7 31.3 45.6
New Zealandb 16.7 16.9 16.4 15.2 15.1 16.1 21.9





Australiac 13.1 12.0 12.0 13.1 11.4 11.1 14.2
Ukraine 2.2 3.5 5.3 6.7 2.8 3.4 5.0
United States 3.3 3.0 3.5 4.1 5.4 5.0 7.2
Argentina 1.6 1.3 1.8 2.6 3.3 2.4 3.9
Canada 1.0 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.6
Rest of World 31.8 31.2 30.8 29.1 29.9 30.3 1.6
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: 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.
Figure 17. Shares of World Butter Exports, 2008F





Table 17. Shares of World Butter Exports, 1994-2008F
(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 36.4
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 5.6
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 21.6
Country 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008F
New Zealanda 36.1 33.6 31.8 27.8 36.5 37.2 50.3
European Unionb 23.5 27.0 28.1 29.9 24.7 24.2 30.7
Australiac 12.8 9.3 6.0 6.2 8.2 7.4 9.0
Ukraine 1.5 1.5 3.3 2.1 1.3 0.7 0.8
Canada 1.7 1.0 1.4 1.8 1.8 1.5 2.0
United States 0.3 1.0 0.7 0.8 1.1 3.3 5.1
Rest of World 24.0 26.6 28.8 31.5 26.4 25.7 2.2
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.
• Brazil dominates the world market for sugar with an export market share forecast at

41% for 2007/2008.


• Australia, with 7% of global sugar exports, is the world’s second-largest exporter of
sugar.
• Sugar exports from the United States, a sugar importer, are negligible (only 0.4%
forecast for 2007/08).





Figure 18. Shares of World Centrifugal Sugar Exports, 2007/08F
Table 18. Shares of World Centrifugal Sugar Exports, 1995/96-2007/08F
(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 2.6 2.9 1.4 0.8 0.4 1.0
Total Caribbean 12.8 11.5 8.0 9.7 9.5 9.0 8.4
DR-CAFTAa 5.2 5.7 6.3 5.2 5.2 6.0 5.3
Brazil 16.4 15.5 19.1 23.2 27.1 20.1 27.4
European Unionb 13.1 14.0 16.9 14.2 14.7 17.2 11.3
Australia 12.0 12.2 12.1 10.8 9.9 8.0 8.5
Rest of World 37.8 38.0 34.4 35.0 32.6 39.0 37.8
Country 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07P 2007/08F
United States 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.4
Mexico 0.1 0.0 0.3 1.7 0.3 0.9
Total Caribbean 4.8 5.2 2.5 2.6 2.3 2.0
DR-CAFTAa 5.0 5.3 5.8 5.0 5.8 5.4
Brazil 29.7 32.7 38.4 34.4 41.9 40.5
European Unionb 11.9 10.5 12.8 16.8 2.8 2.7





Australia 8.7 8.9 9.5 8.5 7.7 7.2
Rest of World 39.4 36.8 30.2 30.7 38.5 40.9
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service Production, Supply and Distribution
Online database, http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx.
Notes: P= Preliminary
F= Forecast
a. The EU Includes French overseas departments of Reunion, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. EU trade data does
not Include intra trade. Beginning 2004/05, the data reflects the EU enlargement by accession of ten countries.
EU exports include sugar-containing products.
b. DR-CAFTA includes Dominican Republic and Central America. 1995/96-2003/04 data are EU-15, 2004/05-
2005/06 are EU-25, and 2006/07 to present are EU-27.
• High-value horticultural products (fruits, vegetables, nuts, wine, beer, nursery stock
and flowers, and others) are the largest category of U.S. agricultural imports—more than
$25 billion—in FY2007.
• Other high-value imports include grains and feeds ($6.0 billion), red meats ($4.6
billion), and oilseeds and products ($4.0 billion).
• Imports of tropical products such as coffee, cocoa, and sugar amounted to $8.4 billion
in FY2006.
Figure 19. Major Agricultural Imports by Commodity, FY2007
9.9Fruits, Nuts & Preps.
8.2Wine & Malt Beverage
7.3Vegetables & Preps.
6Grains and Feeds
4.6Red Meats
4Oilseeds and Products
3.7Coffee and Products
2.7Cocoa and Products
2Dairy Products
2.6Sugar and Products
2.4Essential Oils
2.4Livestock and Products
1.5Nursery and cut flowers
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
$ Billions
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service.





Table 19. Major U.S. Agricultural Imports, FY2007
($ billions)
Commodity FY2007 Imports
Fruits, Nuts & Preps. 9.9
Wine & Malt Beverage 8.2
Vegetables & Preps. 7.3
Grains and Feeds 6.0
Red Meats 4.6
Oilseeds and Products 4.0
Coffee and Products 3.7
Dairy Products 2.7
Sugar and Products 2.0
Cocoa and Products 2.6
Essential Oils 2.4
Livestock and Products 2.4
Nursery and cut flowers 1.5
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
56, November 30, 2007, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/AES/AES-11-30-2007.pdf.
• The EU-27 ($15.7 billion) and NAFTA partners Canada ($15.7 billion) and Mexico
($10.3 billion) are forecast to be the source of more than 55% of total U.S. agricultural
imports in FY2008.
• Australia (at $2.7 billion), with whom the United States entered a free trade
agreement (FTA) in 2005, is forecast to be the fourth-largest supplier in FY2008.
• Agricultural imports from Brazil also are expected to reach $2.7 billion in FY2007.





Figure 20. U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin, FY2006-FY2008F
15.7European Union
14.115
15.7Canada
13.2 14.7
10.3Me xico
9.39.9
2.7Australia
2.42.6
2.7Brazil
2.22.5
2.3I ndonesia
21.9
1.7New Zealand
1.71.7
1.6
1.51.5Colombia
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
$ Billions
2008F 2007 2006
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. F = Forecast
Table 20. U.S. Agricultural Imports by Country of Origin, FY2006-FY2008F
($ billion)
Country FY2006 FY2007 FY2008F
European Union 14.1 15.0 15.7
Canada 13.2 14.7 15.7
Mexico 9.3 9.9 10.3
Australia 2.4 2.6 2.7
Brazil 2.2 2.5
New Zealand 1.7 1.7 1.7
Colombia 1.5 1.5 1.6
Indonesia 2.0 1.9 2.3
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
56, November 30, 2007, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/AES/AES-11-30-2007.pdf.
Notes: F= Forecast
• 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 export
market, has been a relatively stable market for U.S. agricultural exports.
• 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 because of geographic proximity, NAFTA, and other
factors.
Figure 21. Growth in U.S. Agricultural Exports, FY1992-FY2008F
Table 21. Change in U.S. Agricultural Exports to Selected Markets, FY1992-FY2008F
($ billion)
Former
Year Asia European Union Latin Americaa Soviet Canada
Union
1992 17.8 7.2 6.5 2.7 4.8
1993 17.8 7.2 6.9 1.6 5.2
1994 19.9 6.6 7.4 1.5 5.3
1995 24.0 8.4 8.2 2.1 5.8
1996 26.0 9.2 9.9 1.7 6.0
1997 23.9 9.0 10.0 2.9 6.6
1998 19.7 8.5 11.3 2.6 7.0





Former
Year Asia European Union Latin Americaa Soviet Canada
Union
1999 18.5 7.0 10.4 1.4 7.0
2000 19.7 6.4 10.6 1.6 7.5
2001 20.1 6.5 11.6 1.8 8.0
2002 19.5 6.5 11.5 0.9 8.6
2003 21.7 6.3 12.4 0.7 9.1
2004 24.3 7.0 13.6 0.7 9.6
2005 22.5 7.2 14.4 0.9 10.4
2006 24.9 7.2 16.5 0.9 11.6
2007 29.3 8.1 19.9 1.1 13.2
2008F 32.2 8.9 22.4 1.3 14.7
Rate of Growthb 3.55% 1.25% 7.55% -4.21% 6.81%
Source: U. S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
56, November 30, 2007, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/AES/AES-11-30-2007.pdf.
Notes: F= Forecast
a. Including Mexico.
b. The rate of growth is the change in U.S. exports from 1992 to 2008F. Calculations were made by CRS using
a compound rate of growth calculator.
• Like the EU, Japan also has been a relatively stable export 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 (15.2%). In FY2008 U.S. agricultural exports to
China are forecast to be more than four 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 have shown slow but steady growth since 1992.





Figure 22. Growth in Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets, FY1992-FY2008F
Table 22. Change in U.S. Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets, FY1992-FY2008F
($ billion)
Year Japan Southeast 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





Year Japan Southeast Asia South Asia China
2007 9.7 4.3 1.0 7.1
2008F 10.4 4.8 1.1 7.8
Rate of Growtha 1.26% 7.08% 4.75% 15.24%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
56, November 30, 2007, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/AES/AES-11-30-2007.pdf.
Notes: F = Forecast
a. The rate of growth is the change in U.S. exports from 1992 to 2008F. Calculations were made by CRS using
a compound rate of growth calculator.
• 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 reach $14.7 billion in FY2007.
• U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico are expected to be $13.7 billion in FY2007.
• U.S. agricultural exports to Latin America (excluding Mexico) are expected to reach
$8.7 billion in FY2008.
Figure 23. Growth in the Agricultural Exports to North and South America, FY1992-
FY2008F





Table 23. Change in Agricultural Exports to North and South America, FY1992-
FY2008F
($ billion)
Year Latin America 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 7.6 13.2 12.3 25.5
2008F 8.7 14.7 13.7 28.4
Rate of Growtha 6.90% 6.81% 8.00% 7.35%
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, AES-
56, November 30, 2007, available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/AES/AES-11-30-2007.pdf.
Notes: F = Forecast
a. The rate of growth is the change in U.S. exports from 1992 to 2008F. Calculations were made by CRS using
a compound rate of growth calculator.

• PSEs measure assistance to producers in terms of the value of monetary transfers
generated by agricultural policy. Transfers are paid either 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 subsidies alone (which are discussed below).
The percentage PSE measures support in relation to the total value of production.
• PSEs are an indication of the extent to which government policy supports
(subsidizes) agricultural producers.

1 Agricultural policies in OECD Countries Monitoring and Evaluation, Paris, OECD, 2007.





• PSEs vary considerably among OECD countries. Australia, with 6% in 2006, is
among the lowest, while Korea at 63% and Japan at 53% are among the highest.
• The EU’s PSE (32%) is almost three times that of the United States’ (11%).
Figure 24. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in Selected OECD Countries
Table 24. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in Selected OECD Countries
(percent)
Country 1986-88 2004-2006 2004 2005 2006p
Australia 8 4 4 6
EU 41 34 36 33 32
Japan 64 55 56 55 53
Korea 70 63 63 63 63
U.S. 22 14 16 16 11
Source: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Agricultural Policies in OECD
Countries: Monitoring and Evaluation, 2007.
Note: P = Provisional






• The PSE for all agricultural products in the EU declined from 41% in 1986-88 to32%
in 2006.
• The PSE for all agricultural products in the United States declined from 22% in 1986-

88 to 11% in 2006.


• EU policy changes to greater income support and away from commodity support
have reduced the level of subsidies to wheat, corn, and oilseeds (soybeans). Products still
heavily subsidized in the EU are rice, sugar, milk, and beef and veal.
• In the United States, high commodity prices more than policy changes have reduced
the level of individual commodity support for grains. Milk and sugar, however, are still
highly subsidized. (OECD does not calculate PSEs for non-food crops, such as cotton,
which also is heavily subsidized in the United States).
Figure 25. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs): Selected Commodities in the United
States
00000000000000000000 00000000060
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000
00000000000000000000 00000000000000000050
00000000000000000000 000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 00000000000000000040
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 00000000030
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 00000000000000000020
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 00000000000000000010
00000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000 000000000000000000
0000000000 000000000 000000000 000000000 0000000000
-10
1986-88 2004-2006 2004 2005 2006P
Wheat Corn Rice00000000000000000000000000
Soybeans 0000000000000 Sugar Milk
Beef and Veal
Source: OECD 2007P = Provisional

2 PSEs for individual commodities are from Agricultural Policies in OECD Countries: Monitoring and Evaluation,
Paris, OECD, 2007. OECD will produce commodity-specific PSEs in 2007.





Table 25. Producer Support Estimates (PSE) in the United States by Commodity
(percent)
Products 1986-88 (Average) 2004-2006 2004 2005 2006P
Wheat 47 4.8 4.6 1.8 8.0
Corn 34.8 9.7 10.8 17.6 0.7
Rice 50 5.3 7.4 7.5 1.0
Soybeans 1.7 0.6 2.8 -0.6 -0.5
Sugar 55.9 41.6 54.2 44.4 26.2
Milk 36.1 19.9 27.6 19.2 12.8
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: Monitoring and Evaluation, 2007 edition.
Note: P = Provisional
Figure 26. Producer Support Estimate (PSEs) in the European Union





Table 26. Producer Support Estimates (PSEs) in the European Union
(percent)
Products 1986-88 (Average) 2004-2006 2004 2005 2006P
Wheat 49.7 4.0 6.3 4.5 1.1
Corn 51.0 11.8 17.3 15.0 3.0
Rice 58.9 33.3 40.2 36.5 23.2
Soybeans 60.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.0
Sugar 61.4 51.9 64.4 53.8 37.5
Milk 69.8 27.8 35.9 23.5 23.8
Beef and Veal 52.9 57.7 66.7 57.7 48.8
Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Agricultural Policies in OECD
Countries: Monitoring and Evaluation, 2007 edition.
Note: P = Provisional
• The governments of both the United States and the European Union provide income
support to farmers and subsidize agricultural exports. At current exchange rates, the EU
sends about five times as much as the United States in support of agriculture.
• In the United States, domestic support and export subsidies are concentrated on
wheat, rice, feed grains, and cotton. Domestic support in the United States has declined in
recent years as prices for supported agricultural commodities have increased.
• The European Union provides domestic support and export subsidies to a broader
range of products including grains, sugar, oils and fats, dairy products, meat, poultry and
eggs, and fruits and vegetables.
• EU support remains large, but the nature of its support has changed. In 2007, the EU
estimates that 55% of its support will be provided as decoupled (not linked to production)
direct aid to farmers. An additional 22% of EU aid will go to promote rural development
in the countryside.
Table 27. U.S. and EU Government Spending on Agricultural Support, 2005-2007E
($ billion)
European Union 2005 2006 2007E
Export Subsidiesa 3.709 3.371.881
Domestic Supportb 60.311 66.156 69.064
Total 64.020 69.532 70.945
United States 2005 2006 2007E
Export Subsidiesc (-) (-) 0.227
Domestic Supportd 20.187 20.211 13.558





Total 20.187 20.211 13.785
Source: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Economic Research Service Table 35—CCC Net Outlays by
Commodity and Function, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/AgOutlook/AOTables/; and
Commission of the European Union, Agriculture in the European Union, Statistical and Economic Information
2006, available at http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/agrista/2006/table_en/index.htm. Currency conversions
calculated by CRS.
Notes: E = Estimate
a. EU export subsidies include export refunds, but exclude foreign food aid.
b. EU domestic support includes expenditures for intervention purchasing and other price support measures,
production and processing subsidies, set-aside and income support, monetary compensatory amounts, and stock
depreciation.
c. U.S. export subsidies include net outlays of the Community Credit Corporation for the Export
Enhancement Program, Dairy Export Incentive Program, Export Credit Guarantee Programs, Market Access
Program, Technical Assistance to Emerging Markets, Foreign Market Development Cooperative Program, and
Quality Samples Program. Foreign food aid is excluded. Minus (-) indicates a net receipt (excess of repayments
or other receipts over gross outlays of funds).
d. U.S. domestic support includes net CCC outlays, including interest payments and operating expenses, minus
CCC export outlays. Net costs of crop insurance are included. Conservation Reserve Program and other
conservation spending is included.
Table 28. Agricultural and Trade Policies in the United States and the European
Union
United States European Union
Domestic Support
Producers of wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, rice, and Historically, agricultural support has been based primarily
oilseeds are eligible for direct payments entitling them to on market price support provided through institutional
fixed annual payments until 2007. Payments are based on prices. For many commodities, these policies have been
established acreage and yields. A few planting restrictions operated together with measures to limit the volume of
apply and conservation rules must be observed. Holders production to which the price support applies. From
of contracts qualify for nonrecourse marketing assistance 1993/1994 on, as part of the May 1992 reform of the
loans and loan deficiency payments. Producers of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), there has been some
soybeans and other oilseeds also are eligible for contract substitution for market price support by direct payments.
payments and nonrecourse marketing assistance loans and For supported crops, direct payments were based on
loan deficiency payments. historical areas and yields and operated in conjunction
Substantial emergency assistance was provided to U.S. with a land set-aside requirement. Oilseeds support is
farmers in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 to counter the based on area payments.
effects of declining commodity prices and natural For livestock products, direct payments were based on
disasters. fixed reference numbers and for beef they are subject to
Prices of milk and dairy products are supported by an limitations on stocking density. Further price reductions,
administered minimum price for milk, CCC purchase of part of Agenda 2000 reforms further reduced grain and
dairy products, tariffs, and import quotas. Other livestock meat prices and will be only partially compensated by
products are not supported by administered prices. increases in direct payments.
The price of sugar is supported above an administered Beginning in 2005, EU farmers receive a decoupled Single
minimum price by controlling supply through a tariff Farm Payment (SFP) which generally groups the previous
import quota. direct payments into one and is decoupled from
A counter-cyclical income support program for grain, production. Eligibility for the SFP is conditioned on farmers’ observing enumerated environmental and “good
cotton, and oilseed producers was included in the 2002 farming” practices.


farm bill. Dairy farmers also receive a form of counter-
cyclical support through Milk Income Loss Contract
payments under the 2002 farm bill.



United States European Union
Trade Measures
Import quotas for dairy and sugar are subject to Trade restrictions in the form of variable import levies
conversion to tariff quotas under the 1994 Uruguay which kept imported agricultural products at prices that
Round (UR) Agreement on Agriculture. are as high as EU internal prices were converted to tariff
Export subsidies provided under the Export Enhancement quotas as the EU implemented the 1994 Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture.
Program (EEP) and other commodity specific subsidies are
subject to reduction under the UR Agreement. Export subsidies (called restitutions or refunds) are
Export market development programs, the Market Access provided to traders to cover the difference between internal EU commodity prices and world market prices.
Program (MAP,) and the Foreign Market Development Export restitutions are subject to reduction commitments
Program (FMDP) assist producer groups, associations, and negotiated in the Uruguay Round Agreement on
firms with promotional and other activities. Agriculture.
A federally chartered public corporation, the Commodity EU countries (but not the EU itself) operate market
Credit Corporation (CCC), makes credit guarantees development and export promotion programs funded by
available to private financial institutions who finance the Government outlays and mandatory producer levies.
purchase U.S. agricultural exports. France, Netherlands, and Germany have the largest
The United States has negotiated free trade agreements programs devoted to promoting mainly exports of high-
(FTAs) with Canada and Mexico which cover substantially value products.
all agricultural trade among FTA signatories. The United France, for example, assists with export financing through
States has negotiated FTAS with Chile and Central the Company for International Trade Insurance
American countries and is involved in negotiating other (COFACE), which is majority held independently.
bilateral FTAs with Thailand and South Korea, among COFACE commercial risk coverage is usually less than
others. three years, but longer terms are available in certain
cases.
Several preferential trade arrangements have been
concluded with former European colonies in Africa, the
Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Food Aid
The United States is the world’s leading supplier of food The EU provides about 1/3 of world food aid.
aid. It provides more than half of the global total. EU food aid consists of two parts, EU aid and individual
The United States provides food aid mainly through P.L. country bilateral programs. EU aid is distributed mainly
480 also known as the Food for Peace program. Wheat through the United Nations’ World Food Program;
and wheat flour are the main commodities provided as bilateral aid is distributed directly to receiving countries.
food aid, but rice and vegetable oils are also important in Bilateral food aid constitutes about 70% of the total of EU
P.L. 480 programs. Higher-value products are made food aid. All EU food aid is provided as donations.
available in special feeding programs. Responsibility for Wheat is the predominant commodity in EU food aid;
implementing food aid programs is shared by USDA and lesser amounts of skim milk powder, vegetable oils, sugar,
the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID). and pulses are provided.


P.L. 480 food aid is provided on concessional terms (Title
I) and as donations (Titles II and III). Title I food aid is
intended to help develop overseas markets; Titles II and III
are for humanitarian or developmental purposes.
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 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.



Table 29. Agricultural and Trade Policies in Canada and Australia
Canada Australia
Domestic Support
Agricultural policy involves a broad range of measures Both Commonwealth and State programs provide
implemented by both the Federal and Provincial funds for farm restructuring, rural development and
Governments. research, and income-tax concessions. Under the
Wheat and other grain prices are supported by the Rural Adjustment Scheme, the Commonwealth offers interest rate subsidies on commercial loans for
Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) which has an exclusive right productivity improvements, short-term downturns, or
to purchase wheat produced in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, reestablishment after leaving farming.
Alberta, and the Peace River Valley of British Columbia, and
to export it or sell it domestically. Excise taxes on diesel fuel used in off-road vehicles
Farmers can participate in the Canadian Agricultural income and machinery are refunded under the Diesel Fuel Rebate Scheme
Stabilization Program which protects farmer against risks
associated with weather and low prices. The Commonwealth guarantees Australian Wheat
Supply management systems exist for several commodities, Board loans used to finance advance payments to wheat producers.
including milk, poultry, and eggs. Marketing boards set
producer prices and production quotas for some A large number of statutory marketing boards exist at
commodities. the Commonwealth and State levels. The purposes of
Provincial governments operate other, autonomous these boards are to increase producer returns, stabilize prices, and assist with marketing.
programs, often through provincial marketing boards. About
one-third of total budgetary expenditure for Canadian States impose supply controls on milk. Some States
agriculture is provided by Provincial Governments. impose supply controls on eggs, sugar, and rice.
Marketing arrangements operate in some States for
barley, sorghum, corn, rice, and tobacco.
Trade Measures
Import quotas apply to imports of certain products—Tariffs protect sugar, tobacco, and processed fruit and
particularly dairy, poultry, and eggs—and are used in vegetables. A tariff-rate quota applies to cheese
conjunction with supply management schemes for those imports from all countries except New Zealand
products. The Uruguay Round Agreement required that Local content restrictions apply to fruit juices and
these quotas be converted to tariffs with some minimum tobacco.
access for imports provided.
A tariff rate quota on imports of boneless beef applies to Manufacturing milk (milk used in the manufacturing of dairy products) is supported through export subsidies
imports from all countries except the United States and financed by levies on all domestic milk production.
Mexico, Canada’s partners in NAFTA.
Canada agreed to gradually eliminate its tariffs on most U.S. AWB Ltd., the privatized version of the Australian Wheat Board, has monopoly control of wheat
agricultural products under the bilateral free trade exports. A Crown corporation is the sole exporting
agreement with the United States. It reached a separate authority for sugar in Queensland, the main sugar
bilateral agreement with Mexico under the North American producing state.
Free Trade Agreement, which also requires a scheduled
elimination of tariffs on most agricultural products. The Commonwealth provides export credit for wheat
The Federal Government guarantees export credit for exports and extends credit insurance. The Australian Wheat Board makes sales on credit terms. The
wheat exports, usually for three years or less. It is also Government’s Export Finance and Insurance
responsible for debt of the Canadian Wheat Board, which Corporation provides export insurance and insures
can borrow money to finance wheat sales. credit sales by the Australian Wheat Board.
Canada promotes exports, including agricultural exports, Export promotion is provided primarily by commodity
through the Program for Export Market Development. marketing boards and associations; the
Assistance is made available to commodity associations. Commonwealth Government provides only modest
Some important commodity groups and associations fund all assistance to promote agricultural exports.
are part of their own export market development activities.
Provincial Governments have modest export promotion
programs.
Food Aid





Canada Australia
Canada is the third largest provider of food aid. Australian food aid is provided mainly to meet disaster
Food aid is administered as part of Canada’s foreign aid or emergency situations. Australian food aid is provided both bilaterally and through the U.N. World
program; the Canadian International Development Agency Food Program.
(CIDA) is responsible for implementing the program. Food
aid is donated and used to help recipient countries reform The main commodities provided under Australia’s
their agricultural policies or to meet humanitarian food aid program have been wheat, rice, and wheat
emergencies. In 1994, 60% of Canadian food aid was flour. Other commodities include vegetable oils, peas,
distributed multilaterally, mainly through the U.N. World and biscuits.
Food Program.
Wheat and wheat flour make up the largest portion of
Canadian food aid. Non-grain products, especially canola
(rapeseed) oil, pulses, and fish account for about a third.
Charles E. Hanrahan Carol Canada
Senior Specialist in Agricultural Policy Information Research Specialist
chanrahan@crs.loc.gov, 7-7235 ccanada@crs.loc.gov, 7-7619
Beverly A. Banks
Reference Assistant
bbanks@crs.loc.gov, 7-3485