A coalition of 20 food and agriculture organizations signed the letter below to Congress to draw attention to the agriculture trade deficit and once again push for new market access opportunities. 

Download a PDF of the letter or read it below.

Please reach out to Kristy Goodfellow ([email protected]) with questions.

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February 15, 2024

Dear Members of Congress:

The undersigned U.S. food and agriculture associations write to draw your attention to the concerning deterioration of US. food and agriculture strength in the global economy.

The United States ran a record agriculture trade deficit of $16.6 billion last fiscal year. Further, a November 30 announcement from the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) predicts a $30.5 billion agricultural trade deficit in FY2024. ERS estimates value declines from fiscal year 2023 levels in U.S. exports of corn; soybeans; livestock, poultry, and dairy.  Seafood exports are also expected to decline this year.

Although trade fluctuates in response to macroeconomic factors and production and consumption changes, the current changes in our trade trend (limited growth in exports and the increasing levels of imports) reflect recent U.S. trade policy that has forfeited overseas markets to America’s economic competitors. Failing to keep pace with opening new markets is impacting the economic profitability of food and agriculture including jobs, U.S. competitiveness, and ultimately our strategic advantage.

International trade is critical to the continued success of rural America as well as many manufacturing jobs. Over 95% of the world’s consumers live outside the United States, and 20% of U.S. farm revenue comes from exports. Manufacturing of agricultural products accounts for twice as many American jobs as other industrial jobs such as automobile manufacturing. Without access to foreign markets for U.S. agriculture, the jobs of over a million American workers would be directly affected, with indirect effects threatening millions more throughout the export supply chain.

We urge Congress to consider ways that it can help to assess the state of U.S. trade policy in the context of a competitive global environment. We encourage collaboration with the current and future Administrations to prioritize specific steps the United States can take to open new markets to benefit all farmers and U.S. workers in all sectors. 

Signed,