The numbers are looking good for U.S. exports, welcomed news for the U.S. Grains Council, which promotes the export of U.S. corn, sorghum, barley and related products. 

U.S. goods exports, which include both manufactured and agricultural exports, hit a record high in July with a value of $138.6 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

For the 2014 fiscal year, agricultural exports are forecasted to hit a record of $152.5 billion. Of that, coarse grain exports are projected to be worth $52.5 billion, up $6.4 billion from last year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“This year, the United States had an abundant supply of coarse grains and co-products to market aboard,” said USGC Vice President Erick Erickson. “While goods exports are more than corn, sorghum, barley and their related products, these commodities did play a role in that record high.”

U.S. agricultural exports play a critical role in farmers’ bottom lines and will continue to in the future. In 2010, global demand for coarse grains and related products was more than 1.21 billion metric tons. By 2040, demand is estimated to be more than 2.05 billion tons.

As the global marketing arm of U.S. farmers and agribusinesses, and the trusted bridge between U.S. agriculture and customers around the world, the Council believes that expansion of established export markets and development of new markets will drive the success of American agriculture for years to come.

“With nearly 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside the United States, world markets offer momentous growth opportunities for U.S. agriculture,” Erickson said.

“As a consistent star of U.S. international trade, agricultural exports are increasing profitability for farmers and creating economic activity in rural communities across the country.”