USDA Releases FY 2012 & 2013 Export Forecasts

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA’s export forecast for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 marks indication of a historic achievement for America’s farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. Vilsack notes U.S. agriculture is now poised for three consecutive years of record exports – smashing all previous records and putting America’s ag sector on pace to achieve the President’s goal of doubling exports by the end of 2014. Exports of U.S. food and agricultural products are expected to reach 143.5-billion dollars in fiscal 2013. That’s well above the record set in 2011. The forecast for fiscal 2012 is revised upward to a near-record 136.5-billion. U.S. agricultural exports have made gains of 50-percent since 2009. Vilsack points out that these exports will support more than a million jobs across the country.

Looking beyond the remarkable results – Vilsack says there is a story of American innovation and resiliency. He says U.S. agriculture is resilient because producers innovate, reduce their debt and capitalize on expanding marketing opportunities.