06/16/08 Export/import numbers

The United States is still on track to meet a projected 108.5 billion dollars in ag exports for this fiscal year despite a two billion dollar drop in sales from March to April. USDA economist Nora Brooks says that's not unexpected because our stocks from last year's production are ending. We are still 21 billion dollars higher in exports for the first seven months of this fiscal year over the same period last year. BROOKS "The lower value of the dollar makes our products cheaper in foreign markets and we have had several weather events that have curtailed production of the major grains in Australia and in Europe and I believe there were also some production shortfalls in South America." Brooks says while our ag exports slowed from March to April, imports went against seasonal patterns and rose sharply. BROOKS "They grew about four percent to a value of 7.7 billion. The largest month to month increase was for rubber at 77 percent growth but essential oils, cut flowers and sugar each rose more than 20 percent above March." There is a 22 billion dollar ag trade surplus on the books so far this fiscal year. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott