Ag Trade Up In 2018, But Much Of That Was Before Tariffs

Because of the 35-day government shut-down, we are just getting the total Ag trade numbers for December, giving us a complete picture for all of calendar year 2018.  Total ag export value for 2017 was $138.2 billion dollars.  While for 2018, the figure was 139.7 billion.

"Which is a 1.1% increase," said USDA trading economist Kamron Daugherty​.  He added most of the gains were made early in 2018 before the Chinese tariffs kicked in, which kicked out most U.S. soybeans from China.

Daugherty said soybeans were hit and hit hard.

"Exports to all of our major trading partners outside of China, we saw increases," Daughtery noted.  "And with China, we saw a significant drop-off."

A drop-off of 74% last year compared to 2017. So, overall soybean sales to all customers last year down 20%, bringing in just over $17 billion dollars.

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