THE U.S. FARMER AND WORLD MARKET DEVELOPMENT

The rapid expansion of U.S. agricultural exports over the past two decades has greatly enhanced the role of exports in the U.S. agricultural economy and has increased the stake of U.S. farmers in foreign economic growth and trade, and the development of foreign markets. The growth of U.S. agricultural exports has been closely related to income growth in foreign countries. This study examines the changing nature of world import demand for agricultural products, induced by economic growth and increased incomes, and its impact on and significance for (1) U.S. agriculture, (2) changes in the commodity composition of U.S. agricultural exports, (3) market shares of U.S. agricultural exports, (4) future market potential for U.S. farm products, and (5) income and export opportunities for American farmers with continued growth in world demand and agricultural trade