A farmworker picks lemons at an orchard on Feb 10, 2021 in Ventura County, California. (PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP)
WASHINGTON – US agricultural exports to China are expected to hit a record at US$31.5 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2021 that ends on Sept 30, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Thursday.
China is forecast to remain as the largest US agricultural market in fiscal year 2021, followed by Canada and Mexico, according to the USDA
The figure is US$4.5 billion higher than the department's previous forecast in November, due to the strong first-quarter shipments and surging sales to China, the USDA said in its Outlook for US Agricultural Trade.
ALSO READ: US says agricultural exports to China to reach US$14b this year
"October-December exports reached a historic high of US$14.4 billion, largely a result of strong shipments of soybeans, corn, sorghum, wheat, cotton, and chicken paws. Outstanding sales of many of these products remain high, with corn sales at unprecedented levels," the USDA said.
China is forecast to remain as the largest US agricultural market in FY 2021, followed by Canada and Mexico, according to the USDA.
READ MORE: China plans to increase purchases of US agricultural products
Overall US agriculture exports in FY 2021 are projected at US$157 billion, up 5 billion from the November forecast, driven by higher oilseed and grain export forecasts, the USDA said.