U.S. Ag Export Values Continue Move Downward

U.S. agricultural exports commodities are down from a year according the trade numbers for the first 11 months of this fiscal year which shows a downward spiral. USDA analyst Bryce Cook says
Cook: “Exports have dropped 8 out of the 11 months and also imports have dropped six out of the 11 months.”
The value of U.S. ag exports through August was just over $130 billion compared to $142 billion at the same time last year. Cook says global trade has been sluggish as well.
Cook: “Trade growth has slowed to 1.6 percent this year, compared to 3.2 percent last year.”
In addition to slow global trade, the stronger U.S. dollar hasn’t helped other countries ability to purchase more U.S. ag products. Cook continues with the commodities that have seen the biggest reduction in export values.
Cook: “The unit value for soybeans have been decreasing so have many grains and animal products which are major U.S. export commodities that obviously plays a role in the value of total exports. Specifically for grains, wheat exports have reduced about 30 percent this fiscal year to date in value terms and corn is down about 21 percent.”