U.S. agriculture is now forecast to see record exports in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 of $157 billion, up from a November forecast of $152 billion. Imports are also forecast at a record mark up $137.5 billion, up from $137 billion in USDA's November forecast.
The two forecasts would result in U.S. agriculture registering a trade surplus of $19.5 billion, the biggest since a $21.1 billion surplus in FY 2017.
For China, USDA forecasts their FY 2021 imports at $31.5 billion, up $4.5 billion from their November outlook, “due to strong first quarter shipments and surging sales, most notably of corn,” USDA said. “China is forecast to remain the largest U.S. agricultural market in FY 2021.”
The resulting trade surplus for U.S. agriculture would be up $17 billion from the FY 2020 result, which was the smallest trade balance for U.S. agriculture since it was $2.1 billion in 1972.