• The fiscal 2013 export forecast for livestock, poultry, and dairy is raised $300 million to a record $30.1 billion, with gains in poultry and beef outweighing reductions I pork.
  • Expansion in the Japanese market and strong demand in other major markets offsets restrictions by Russia. Poultry exports are forecast up $200 million, bolstered by rising global demand and higher unit values.
  • Pork exports are lowered $200 million mostly on lower unit values and smaller volumes although Russia’s import ban is expected to result in redirected shipments to other markets
  • The whole and processed tree nut forecast remains at $7.0 billion, on the strength of China’s growing demand for almonds, pistachios, and walnuts.
  • A sluggish domestic economy may restrain U.S consumer spending in 2013, but demand for food imports Is not expected to stray far from last year’s pace.
  • U.S. imports of agricultural products are projected to rise by around 9 % to 112.5 billion in fiscal 2013, only slightly slower than the increase in fiscal 2012.
  • The projected 8.8% growth in U.S. agricultural import value in fiscal 2013 is only have a percentage point lower than 2012’s 9.4%.
  • Total U.S. import volume for agricultural products rose 9% in fiscal 2012a
  • U.S. demand for fruits, fresh vegetables, and wine appears to be stronger than earlier expected, based on their first-quarter values.
  • Shipments of broiler meet in March 2012 were 295,297 metric tons, up 9.5 percent from the same month of last year, while export value reached $370.8 million, an increase of 8.0 percent year-over-year, thanks largely to increased shipments to Angola, Russia, Mexico, China, and Iraq.
  • Exports to Angola reached 46,260 tons, up 74.2 percent year-over year, while shipments to China were 41,476 tons, an increase of 106.3 percent.