2011 a record year for U.S. farm exports

U.S. farm exports hit a record $136.3 billion in calendar year 2011 exceeding the previous record set in 2010 by $20.5 billion. USDA reports grains were the biggest contributor to the record hitting an all-time high $37.7 billion up $9.2 billion from 2010. Cotton exports had the largest percentage increase, up 44 percent to a record $8.5 billion. Also setting export records, pork at $6 billion, dairy at $4.8 billion and beef and beef products totaling $5.4 billion. Beef export volume also eclipsed the pre-BSE levels for the first time.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomed the report saying “American agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy.” The Secretary says every $1 billion in agricultural exports supports 8,400 American jobs meaning farm exports last year accounted for more than a million U.S. jobs.

The Renewable Fuels Association reports U.S. ethanol exports totaled 1.19 billion gallons in 2011 more than triple what we sold in 2010. Exports took 8.6 percent of total U.S. ethanol production. A third of the total exports, 395.6 million gallons went to Brazil. Canada was our second-best customer taking 297.3 million gallons followed by the Netherlands and Great Britain. Number-five on the list, the United Arab Emirates who bought 64.8 million gallons of U.S. ethanol.

Distiller’s grains exports in 2011 totaled 7.65 million metric tons down 15 percent from 2010. Mexico was the biggest customer buying 1.78 million tons followed by China with 1.39 million tons, Canada taking 737,689 tons, Vietnam at 499,523 and Japan at 301,234 metric tons.