U.S. agricultural exports hit a record in 2021, breaking the previous one by almost 15%.
Trade data from the U.S. Department of Commerce show more than $177 billion in agricultural exports in 2021. China was the No. 1 trading partner, with $33 billion in purchases, an all-time high and a 25% increase over 2020. Mexico edged out Canada for the No. 2 position, with $25.5 billion, also a record. Other food import records were set by Canada, South Korea, the Philippines and Colombia.
The $177 billion overall export record was 14.6% above the previous record, set in 2014, and 18% above the 2020 total.
“This is a major boost for the economy as a whole, and particularly for our rural communities, with agricultural exports stimulating local economic activity, helping maintain our competitive edge globally, supporting producers’ bottom lines, and supporting more than 1.3 million jobs on the farm and in related industries such as food processing and transportation,” U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.
