Ag exports

Over the past several years, the great farmers and ranchers of Idaho have been doing a land office business in terms of exporting our commodities to countries all over the world. But there is an element to the international trade formula called purchasing power and exchange rate of the U,S, dollar.

While the dollar value of U.S. food and AG exports is falling, the: Import value has increased steadily over time and continues to do so. Speaker1: Agriculture Department economist Mark Kenner says U.S. ag exports are running about 3% below last year at this time, while the value of foreign agricultural products coming into the U.S. is up by 5%. Several good reasons for those growing imports, Great purchasing power by the U.S. consumer, and growing demand for products that are produced elsewhere year round produce, you know, specialized high value products, distilled spirits, you know, fancy cheeses and wines and what have you. Kenner says the surge in imports and the reduction of exports is creating an ag trade deficit, though of over $27 billion and growing