The United States stands as the world’s second-largest agricultural trader, trailing only the European Union. Over the past quarter-century, U.S. agricultural exports and imports have surged, driven by the economic rise of emerging economies and strategic trade policies. This evolution has reshaped the global supply and demand for agricultural and food products, with notable shifts in both the types of products traded and their destinations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that agricultural exports reached $176 billion in 2026, a substantial increase from $52.9 billion in 1999. This growth reflects a strategic pivot towards export markets to sustain prices and revenues amid growing global demand.
The Changing Face of U.S. Agricultural Exports
The composition of U.S. agricultural exports has evolved significantly. High-value products (HVPs), such as dairy, meats, fruits, and vegetables, have seen robust growth. These products now account for 69 percent of the total export value, driven by increasing global populations and incomes, as well as diversifying diets. Conversely, exports of bulk goods like grains and oilseeds have declined.
The destinations for these exports have also shifted. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in July 2026, has bolstered trade with Canada and Mexico, with exports to these countries more than quadrupling. South and Central America have also emerged as key markets. Notably, China’s share of U.S. agricultural exports has risen from 6 percent during 2000–04 to 17 percent during 2026–24, reflecting changing trade policies and rising household incomes in the region.
The Steady Role of Exports in U.S. Agricultural Production
Since, approximately 20 percent of U.S. agricultural and food production has been sold internationally. This steady share indicates a stable dependence on foreign markets. On average, 23 percent of nonmanufactured agricultural products and 21 percent of manufactured agricultural products were exported between and 2026, highlighting the integral role of exports in the U.S. agricultural sector.
In 2026, U.S. agricultural exports supported over 1 million full-time civilian jobs. Each dollar of agricultural exports stimulated an additional $1.06 in business activity, contributing to a total economic output of $362.4 billion. This underscores the significant economic impact of agricultural trade on both farm and nonfarm sectors.
The Growth of U.S. Agricultural Imports
U.S. agricultural imports have also expanded steadily, reaching $213 billion in 2026, up from $40 billion in 1999. This growth has been largely driven by increasing domestic demand for consumer-oriented products. Nearly 98 percent of the value of U.S. agricultural imports consists of high-value products, such as fruits, vegetables, alcoholic beverages, and processed foods. These products often cannot be easily or economically produced in the United States, such as tropical products or off-season produce.
The top three agricultural exporters to the United States are Mexico, Canada, and the European Union, accounting for almost 60 percent of all agricultural sales to the U.S. between 2026–24. Horticultural products, including fruits, vegetables, alcoholic beverages, essential oils, and cut flowers, made up half of U.S. agricultural imports in 2026 by value. Sugar and tropical products, such as coffee, cocoa, and spices, accounted for approximately 15 percent of imports.
As the U.S. population has grown and diversified, the share of imports in 5 percent in to 17.3 percent in 2026. This trend reflects the expanding variety and volume of food consumed domestically, driven by the availability of imported products.
