AFBF: Record Ag Trade Deficit Signals Need for Market Access
Farm policy decisions made in Washington, D.C., have ripple effects across rural America—and right now, trade is a major storyline. According to Market Intel from the American Farm Bureau Federation, the U.S. is headed for its largest agricultural trade deficit in history.
From January through April 2025, imports of ag products totaled $78.2 billion, while exports reached only $58.5 billion. That’s a $19.7 billion gap—the widest ever recorded in the first four months of a year. USDA now projects the full-year deficit could reach $49.5 billion.
The Farm Bureau notes that a strong U.S. dollar, high labor costs, and unresolved trade disputes have made it harder for U.S. products to compete abroad. At the same time, global buyers are finding lower-cost alternatives, including in South America.
There are bright spots: the new U.S.–U.K. trade agreement removes tariffs on American beef and ethanol, potentially opening up valuable new markets.
The Farm Bureau’s takeaway? Reversing the trend will require strategic trade policy focused on resolving barriers, boosting market access, and keeping U.S. agriculture competitive around the globe.
