Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsU.S. exports of bulk agricultural commodities rose 22% by volume in calendar year 2024, but their total value fell 5% as prices declined, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s February 26, 2025 trade spotlight. The 22% figure is not a growth rate for all U.S. agricultural exports: overall agricultural exports were valued at $176.0 billion, up 1% from 2023.
What the 22% increase measures
The figure describes the volume of total bulk commodities exported during calendar year 2024. It does not describe export value, and it does not mean every agricultural product or export market grew by 22%. USDA FAS reported that bulk commodity export value decreased even as volume increased, attributing the divergence to falling prices. That explanation applies to the aggregate; it should not be read as a claim that prices fell equally for every commodity.
Volume and value answer different questions. Volume tracks the amount of goods shipped, while value measures their reported dollar worth. When volume rises and value falls, the numbers indicate that the aggregate goods were worth less in export dollars despite larger shipments; they do not, on their own, identify which commodities drove the volume increase.
How the headline compares with total agricultural exports
For all U.S. agricultural exports, FAS reported a calendar-year 2024 value of $176.0 billion, up $1.8 billion, or 1%, from 2023. It was the third-largest total recorded. FAS’s trade-data page gives the total as $175.98 billion, which rounds to $176.0 billion.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
| Measure | 2024 result | Change from 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Total bulk commodity export volume | Up 22% | Volume measure; not an export-value increase |
| Total bulk commodity export value | Down 5% | FAS attributed the decline to falling prices |
| Total U.S. agricultural export value | $176.0 billion | Up 1%, or $1.8 billion; third-largest total recorded |
The figures come from USDA FAS’s 2024 export spotlight and trade-data page. The bulk category is only part of the broader agricultural export total, so its volume trend should not be used as a proxy for the value trend across all agricultural exports.
Which export values increased
FAS highlighted several contributors to year-over-year growth in export value: tree nuts increased by $1.0 billion (11%), corn by $807 million (6%), food preparations by $795 million (14%), and pork and pork products by $458 million (6%). These are changes in dollars, not measures of volume growth. They also do not explain the full bulk-volume increase; a product’s value change cannot establish its contribution to aggregate shipment volume.
Where U.S. agricultural exports went
Mexico was the leading destination in 2024, overtaking Canada and China. FAS reported a record $30.3 billion in exports to Mexico, up 7% from 2023. This is a market-specific export-value figure and does not indicate that shipments to Mexico increased 22% by volume.
Why economic-impact figures exceed export sales
USDA’s Economic Research Service estimated that $177.2 billion in agricultural exports in 2024 supported $192.0 billion in additional domestic economic activity, for an estimated $369.2 billion in total economic output. The $177.2 billion figure includes biodiesel; under the WTO definition, which excludes biodiesel, ERS says exports totaled $176.4 billion.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →ERS also estimates that each $1 of agricultural exports supported $2.08 in total domestic economic activity in 2024. This is a multiplier-based estimate, not an additional $2.08 in export sales or a direct cash return. The ERS totals use a different concept and scope from FAS’s export-value figures, so they should not be added to export sales or substituted for them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check the reporting period before comparing figures
Calendar-year data cover January through December; fiscal-year data cover October through September. USDA ERS’s Foreign Agricultural Trade of the United States (FATUS) system groups thousands of Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes into agricultural categories and publishes monthly, fiscal-year, and calendar-year series. Its trade data are collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Census Bureau. A calendar-year 2024 result is not directly comparable with a fiscal-year table unless the difference in period is made explicit.
Rank #4
The 2024 Agricultural Export Yearbook summarizes calendar-year commodity exports and leading markets. Its interactive visualization allows readers to explore the data. FAS says the yearbook uses U.S. trade data published by the Census Bureau; foreign-country data come from national statistical agencies as reported through Trade Data Monitor.
Underlying official trade data can be revised. ERS said on September 8, 2026 that FATUS tables are updated monthly and identified October 9, 2026 as the next scheduled update. For current or historical breakdowns by country and commodity, it directs users to FAS’s Global Agricultural Trade System. When making a fresh comparison, check the latest data and keep the time period and category consistent.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
