Ag’s new normal includes trade deficits, not surpluses percent.”

Nearly drowned out in all the farm group cheering that U.S. ag exports hit a record high $196 billion last year was the inarguable fact that U.S. ag imports also hit a record-high, $199 billion — or $3 billion more than ag exports.

FARM & FOOD FILE

That’s right, sports fans: during its biggest ag export year ever — when the value of American ag exports grew an astonishing $19.5 billion, or 11 percent, over 2021 — the value of U.S. ag imports grew by $28 billion, or 16 percent.

By Alan Guebert