North American Ag Trade Has Skyrocketed Since 1994

WASHINGTON, DC – Over the last quarter-century, the United States has become one of the largest agricultural importers in the world. Since 1994, imports have grown significantly from $27 billion to $128 billion in 2019. The role of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994, known now as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), has played a central role in the surge. U.S. imports from the North American region increased more than six-fold from $8.2 billion in 1994 to $52 billion last year as fresh fruits and vegetables, beef products, and wine and beer products have led the increase. Even as overall imports have grown, imports from Europe, as well as South America and the Caribbean, have dipped, reflecting the decreasing share of berries and other fruits provided by these countries, as well as additional sources of alcoholic beverages imported from neighboring countries.
(SOURCE: Economic Research Service)