US Agriculture Exports Hit Record High in 2022

A field of wheat in a stock photo. (Tomasz Filipek/Unsplash)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reported an “exceptional” 2022 due to increasing agricultural trade, which is enhancing its efforts to help adapt to climate change and global food and nutrition security.

United States agricultural exports reached a record $196 billion in the fiscal year 2022. The top five markets for American food and agricultural exports were China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the EU, according to the USDA’s Feb. 6 press release. In the fiscal year 2022, exports to all five markets reached record levels, with soybeans, corn, and beef proving to be the top agricultural export commodities. All three saw an increase in export values in the last fiscal year and set new records.

Following the cancellation of USDA-sponsored trade missions in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FAS hosted five in-person agribusiness trade missions in 2022. FAS helped U.S. exporters connect with customers in the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Tanzania, Spain, and Portugal. During the trade missions, more than 1,300 business-to-business meetings were held, resulting in over $42 million in 12-month projected sales.

FAS also worked to meet the administration’s climate goals by working with global partners to help to “collaborate and share U.S. experiences on climate, smart farming, and ranching practices and research,” according to the press release.

In addition to these achievements, FAS established new collaborations with Howard University and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, expanding its talent pool and giving minority groups more chances to boost international food security and increase agricultural exports from the United States as part of the administration’s efforts to advance equity.

President Joe Biden is expected to take stock of the year’s accomplishments as he gets ready to deliver the 2023 State of the Union address and is thought likely to push forward initiatives to support global trade as a driver of economic growth, champion climate change solutions, and combat global hunger through FAS programs.

“Undoubtedly, 2022 was a landmark year for the Foreign Agricultural Service. The day-to-day work of our staff brought an incredible series of successes for U.S. farmers and ranchers, food processors, exporters, and everyone involved in agricultural trade abroad,” said FAS Administrator Daniel B. Whitley, according to the press release. “The U.S. agriculture sector not only set new export records but also reaped the benefits of USDA and FAS efforts to expand climate change mitigation work, strengthen global food security activities, and establish new diversity programs.”