You’ve probably seen the "America feeds the world" bumper stickers. It’s a nice sentiment. But honestly, the reality of how much food does the US export is a bit more complicated—and a lot more interesting—than just a patriotic slogan. We aren't just sending crates of apples and steaks overseas. We are moving mountains of bulk commodities that keep global supply chains from collapsing.
It's actually kind of wild when you look at the raw numbers. In 2024, the United States shipped out roughly $176 billion in agricultural products. That sounds like a win, right? Well, it is, but for the first time in a long time, we're actually importing more than we're selling. We've hit a trade deficit in food that has experts at the USDA scratching their heads.
The Numbers Behind the Shipments
Most people think of "food" as something you buy at a grocery store. To a trade economist, food is basically a pile of soybeans.
Soybeans are the undisputed king of the hill here. In 2024 alone, they accounted for about 14% of all US agricultural exports, with a market value of roughly $24.6 billion. We aren't eating most of those; they’re going to China and the EU to feed pigs and chickens.
Then you’ve got corn. It’s everywhere. It made up nearly $14 billion of the export pie. If you've ever seen those massive grain elevators in the Midwest, those are essentially the staging grounds for global food security.
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Here’s a quick breakdown of the big players:
- Beef and Pork: We're talking over $19 billion combined. High-quality American cuts are a massive status symbol in South Korea and Japan.
- Tree Nuts: Almonds and pistachios from California are basically "green gold," pulling in nearly $10 billion.
- Dairy: Cheese and milk powder are huge, hitting about $8 billion.
It’s not just raw grains, though. We export a ton of "processed" stuff—think Oreo cookies, condiments, and those frozen appetizers you find in the back of the freezer. These fall under "food preparations," and they’re a growing slice of the market.
The Global Tug-of-War
So, who is actually buying all this stuff? For a long time, China was the 800-pound gorilla in the room. But things are shifting.
Mexico has recently stepped up as the top buyer, snatching up over $30 billion worth of corn, pork, and dairy. Canada is right there too, mostly because our supply chains are so tightly linked. If you live in Toronto, there’s a good chance your winter strawberries came from a farm in California or Florida.
But China is the wildcard. In the last year, our exports to China have cooled off significantly. Why? Competition from Brazil. The Brazilians had a monster harvest, and they’re undercutting US prices on soybeans and corn. It’s a reminder that even though the US is a powerhouse, we aren't the only ones with a tractor and a dream.
The Weird Reality of the Trade Deficit
You might find it strange that a country with so much farmland has a "food trade deficit." In fiscal year 2025, the USDA expects we’ll import about $220 billion worth of food while exporting only $173 billion.
It’s not because we can’t grow food. It’s because we want avocados in January. We want premium coffee, out-of-season grapes, and specialty olive oils. Our taste for the "exotic" and the "fresh-all-year" is currently outstripping our massive production of bulk staples like wheat and soy.
Why How Much Food Does the US Export Still Matters
Even with the deficit, the world relies on US exports to keep prices stable. When a drought hits the Midwest, bread prices in Egypt can spike. We export about 20% of everything we grow. That’s a huge chunk of the rural economy.
If we stopped exporting, the American farm belt would basically vanish overnight. The scale is just too big for the domestic market to absorb. We produce way more than we could ever eat, even if every American started having four steaks a day.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The forecast for 2026 is a bit of a mixed bag. The USDA is projecting a slight dip in export value to around $169 billion. Prices for commodities are softening, and the "trade wars" of the mid-2020s have made some traditional buyers look elsewhere.
However, we’re seeing a surge in demand from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Countries like Indonesia and Vietnam are hungry for US wheat and dairy as their middle classes grow. It’s a pivot. We’re moving from relying on one or two big buyers to a more diversified global portfolio.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you’re a producer, a business owner, or just a curious consumer, here’s what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the "Value-Add" Market: Bulk grain is a commodity game. The real money is moving toward processed foods and "identity-preserved" crops (like non-GMO soy) that fetch a premium.
- Diversify Your Sourcing: If you’re in the food business, don't put all your eggs in one geographical basket. Trade tensions can flip a market in a weekend.
- Climate Resiliency: Buyers are increasingly looking at "climate-smart" agriculture. If you can prove your corn was grown with sustainable practices, you might find a smoother path into the EU market.
- Monitor the USD: A strong dollar makes our food more expensive for everyone else. When the dollar is high, our exports usually take a hit.
The question of how much food does the US export isn't just a tally of dollars. It’s a story about global politics, changing diets, and the sheer logistical miracle of moving billions of pounds of perishables across oceans. We might not be the "only" farm in the world anymore, but we're still the one everyone watches when the harvest begins.