10/19/07 Ag exports at record pace

USDA estimates that American agriculture exports will hit a record 79 billion dollars for this fiscal year. But that number could change, for the better. USDA analyst Nora Brooks says with the growth of wheat, corn and soybean exports the number will probably go higher. Normally ag exports drop from July to August but this year in August alone the export total increased by one billion dollars. BROOKS "Wheat shipments are up 91 percent, about two million metric tons from July. The export value doubled. Corn shipments are up 800 million metric tons from July and soybean shipments also rose about almost 500 million metric tons." But how about ag imports? Brooks says import totals were virtually unchanged from July to August at 5.8 billion for the month. BROOKS "This is a slight decline mostly due to red meats and fruit juice but year to date imports are at 64.6 billion dollars." The State Department of Agriculture officials are working on restrictions such as tariffs, quotas and phytosanitary regulations that restrict Idaho exports and limit market access. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott