A long history of economic analysis has shown the value of export markets for the U.S. agricultural industry, and many ag producers and businesses readily recognize the economic value of export markets. What is less well known is how these same agricultural exports benefit the U.S. and state economies.
The Value of Grains Exports study, funded by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) examines the economic contributions provided by exports of malt barley, other barley, sorghum, corn, ethanol, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn gluten feed and meal and the corn equivalent of beef, pork and poultry on the U.S. economy. Specifically, the economic contributions provided by each U.S. state are analyzed individually with the goal of quantifying the degree to which state economies rely upon and benefit from grain exports.
“This study is a great tool for us to track the importance of grain in all forms to the economy and job creation in the U.S. and at a state-by-state level. It allows those who are interested to see what the value of grain exports in all forms to their state is and why they need to be involved and invested in export market development of the global markets that create those economic contributions,” said USGC Vice President Cary Sifferath.
The online interactive platform allows users to examine each state in the U.S. based on total value of exports and production, with downloadable PDF infographics available.
These results highlight the important role grain and grain products play in the U.S. economy. Fair and transparent access to international markets creates economic benefits that extend well beyond our American farmlands, with the benefits reaching nearly every sector of the U.S. economy.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.