Agricultural Exports Count
July 17, 2017 | We've said it before and we'll keep on telling constituents, stakeholders, and decision makers that agricultural exports are critical to the farm economy and to the U.S. economy in general. While we know intimately the value of two critical programs that support global agricultural export development, the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), these programs are once again under fire in the Administration's FY18 budget and as we begin deliberations on the new Farm Bill. While this is not the first time these programs are being scrutinized, the rhetoric has been heightened by aggressive language in the President's FY 18 budget proposal that suggests these programs should be eliminated. Here are some numbers and statistics that prove that these programs must not just be left intact but increased to higher levels in the next farm bill: Total economic output produced by U.S. agricultural exports in 2014 was $340 billion. Agricultural exports support 1.1 million jobs. U.S. agricultural exports are projected to account for one-third of total farm sector gross earnings in 2017. Every $1 invested in agricultural exports returns $28 in revenue. These programs increased net farm income by over $27 billion in 2016. The source for this data www.agexportscount.com is rich in facts about why these programs are so critical. Please continue to engage your Congressional representation if you are able, to encourage full funding for MAP and FMD in 2018 and increased funding in the new farm bill. Please encourage them to visit the website noted above. |