Farm Bureau: U.S. Ag Trade Deficit on Track to Break Records

According to Market Intel from the American Farm Bureau Federation, the U.S. is facing what could be its largest agricultural trade deficit in history. From January through April of 2025, the U.S. imported $78.2 billion in ag products, while exports came in at just $58.5 billion—a $19.7 billion gap and the largest ever for the first four months of a year.

After decades of consistent trade surpluses, U.S. agriculture has been in a trade deficit since 2022. Rising demand for year-round produce, combined with a strong dollar and high labor costs, has made U.S. goods less competitive abroad. At the same time, trade barriers and tariffs have limited market access.

There is some progress: a new U.S.–U.K. trade deal removes key tariffs on beef and ethanol and could open doors for more exports down the road.

According to the American Farm Bureau’s Market Intel, closing the trade gap will require resolving disputes, expanding export markets, and supporting fair trading conditions. They say strong, science-based trade policy will be key to long-term profitability for U.S. farmers and ranchers.