THE Global Agricultural Trade System reports that US farm exports reached an all-time high of $115.8 billion in calendar year 2010.
For the first time, China emerged as the top market for US agricultural exports, with $17.5 billion in sales. Canada was second with $16.9 billion.
In reaction, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said the numbers indicate that the demand for US food and agricultural products is soaring worldwide.
This is good news for Americans: every $1 billion in agricultural exports supports 8000 American jobs, which means agricultural exports supported nearly one million jobs in 2010.
Export sales surged in bulk commodities, which increased 19 per cent to $47.2 billion, and consumer-oriented agricultural products, which increased 15pc to $45.4 billion.
US soybeans were the largest agricultural export product, reaching a record $18.6 billion in sales. China purchased 58% of US soybean exports last year. In 2000, China purchased 19% of the total US soybean exports.
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