Ag Exports Down, But Not All News Is Negative

U.S. Agricultural trade figures for the first seven months of the fiscal year, October through April,  have been released.  In April there was talk about trade wars, tariffs and counter-tariffs, but it appears that's all it was, talk.  April this year ended up being the highest April for Ag exports since 2014, at $12 billion dollars.  Total export value for the fiscal year through April is $86.8 billion, less than the same time period from the year before, however,

"Only about $1.4 billion through seven months of the fiscal year."

USDA Trade Analyst Bryce Cook says that equates to just 2% less.  Still, there is progress, even though export sales of soy beans are running 18% from a year ago, wheat 14%, corn 9%.  But, cotton sales are up 13%, and high-value items like meats and tree-nuts are also doing better.  USDA is projecting total 2018 Ag exports to surpass last year, but Cook says there are several unknowns.

"In the form of trade disputes that are on-going and unresolved."

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