Vilsack Visits Twin Cities to Highlight Record Ag Exports

The latest export forecast sees U.S. farm exports at their highest level ever in 2013, with estimates showing $145 billion in sales. Vilsack said new trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and the European Union will deliver even greater returns for Minnesota-based and other U.S. businesses.

The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, has aggressively worked to expand export opportunities and reduce barriers to trade, helping to push agricultural exports to record levels in 2012 and beyond. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its best periods in history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers and agribusinesses. Today, net farm income is at record levels while debt has been cut in half since the 1980s. Overall, American agriculture supports 1 in 12 jobs in the United States and provides American consumers with 83 percent of the food we consume, while maintaining affordability and choice. Strong agricultural exports contribute to a positive U.S. trade balance, create jobs, boost economic growth and support President Obama's National Export Initiative goal of doubling all U.S. exports by the end of 2014.