2021 Export Overview
Top U.S. Agricultural Exports*(values in million USD) |
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| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020-2021 % Change | 2017-2021 Average | |
| Soybeans | 21,456 | 17,058 | 18,694 | 25,522 | 27,408 | 7% | 22,027 |
| Corn | 9,131 | 12,472 | 7,671 | 9,213 | 18,721 | 103% | 11,441 |
| Beef & Beef Products | 7,263 | 8,357 | 8,094 | 7,638 | 10,576 | 38% | 8,386 |
| Tree Nuts | 8,479 | 8,515 | 9,074 | 8,400 | 8,882 | 6% | 8,670 |
| Pork & Pork Products | 6,485 | 6,403 | 6,951 | 7,711 | 8,107 | 5% | 7,132 |
| Dairy Products | 5,368 | 5,479 | 5,914 | 6,447 | 7,660 | 19% | 6,174 |
| Wheat | 6,058 | 5,387 | 6,232 | 6,303 | 7,246 | 15% | 6,245 |
| Food Preparations | 4,301 | 4,599 | 5,032 | 5,102 | 5,860 | 15% | 4,979 |
| Cotton | 5,827 | 6,550 | 6,140 | 5,951 | 5,711 | -4% | 6,036 |
| Soybean Meal | 3,881 | 5,073 | 4,335 | 4,699 | 5,622 | 20% | 4,722 |
| Poultry Meat & Products* | 4,267 | 4,274 | 4,243 | 4,242 | 5,250 | 24% | 4,455 |
| Fresh Fruit | 4,752 | 4,676 | 4,383 | 4,324 | 4,480 | 4% | 4,523 |
| Bakery Goods** | 3,399 | 3,474 | 3,614 | 3,598 | 3,625 | 1% | 3,542 |
| Distillers Grains | 1,851 | 2,456 | 2,227 | 2,329 | 2,998 | 29% | 2,372 |
| Processed Vegetables | 2,888 | 2,804 | 2,889 | 2,564 | 2,792 | 9% | 2,787 |
| Ethanol (non-beverage) | 2,412 | 2,663 | 2,330 | 2,293 | 2,767 | 21% | 2,493 |
| All Others | 45,048 | 44,495 | 43,262 | 43,397 | 49,334 | 14% | 45,107 |
| Total Exported | 142,866 | 144,733 | 141,086 | 149,733 | 177,040 | 18% | 151,091 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau Trade Data - BICO HS-10
*Excludes eggs
**Includes cereals and pasta
Overview
Total U.S. agricultural exports in 2021 were a record $177.0 billion, $22.5 billion above the previous record set in 2014. Exports of soybeans, corn and beef led the way as the top three American exports with all three setting records last year. Pork, dairy products, soy meal, distillers’ grains, and pet food also set records.
Corn was the primary contributor to the record-breaking exports, up $9.5 billion over 2020, more than doubling the previous year’s value, reaching a record $18.7 billion in 2021. U.S. corn was very competitive in global markets supported by abundant supplies, lower demand for ethanol as a fuel, and tight supplies in the competitor nations
of Brazil and Ukraine. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) was the top destination for U.S. corn, up 316 percent ($3.9 billion) over 2020, as the country rebuilt its swine herd following an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) that began in 2018.
Soybeans were again the No. 1 U.S. agricultural export commodity in 2021, with a record $27.4 billion, a 7-percent increase over the previous year. Higher unit values due to tight global supplies boosted the value of U.S. exports despite a decline in the volume exported. China was again the top destination for U.S. soy accounting for more than half of U.S. exports. Exports to Mexico and the European Union (EU) were up 39 and 6 percent, respectively as higher unit values offset stable to declining volumes.
Exports of beef and beef products was another bright spot for U.S. producers with exports reaching a record $10.6 billion, a $3.0 billion increase over 2020. South Korea and Japan remained the top two markets in 2021, increasing their imports by 39 and 22 percent respectively, driven by higher prices and greater market access. PRC’s removal of market access barriers spurred U.S. beef exports, which rose to $1.6 billion following years with nearly no exports.
Other highlights in 2021 include sharp increases of exports of dairy products, wheat, soymeal, poultry, distillers’ grains, and ethanol, all increasing by 15 percent or more over the previous year. The top 10 commodity groups accounted for 60 percent of total exports, thus becoming more concentrated than in 2017 when the top 10 accounted for 55 percent. Higher bulk grain and oilseed prices and strong global demand for animal feed and meat supports strong export growth in these categories, which are expected to continue to grow into the future.