96 AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS 



Montana Agricultural Statistics 1997 



MONTANA'S AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY IN 1996 



The value of Montana's agricultural commodities exported during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996 

 totaled $850.2 million, $379.6 million more than 1995. Wheat and wheat products are Montana's leading export, making 

 up 88 percent of the State's agricultural exports. Exports of wheat and wheat products accounted for the largest increase 

 during 1996 with $349.8 million more than 1995. Feed grains and products increased $23.4 million over 1995. Exports 

 of Montana's live animals and meat were the only commodity classification that decreased, dropping $1.7 million from 

 1995. Feed and fodder exports increased $3 million and seeds exports increased $5.2 million from 1995. 



In fiscal 1996, the U.S. exported $59.9 billion worth of agricultural commodities, $5 billion more than 1995. 

 Wheat and wheat products accounted for about $2 billion in exports, increasing 35 percent over 1995. Nationally, wheat 

 and wheat products make up 12 percent of all exports, 2 percent more than 1995. 



Montana moved up to a third place ranking among states exporting wheat and wheat products in fiscal year 1996. 

 North Dakota remained in the top position as a wheat exporter, followed by Kansas, Montana, Washington, and 

 Minnesota. Considering the export of all products, California remained on top, followed by Iowa, Illinois, Texas, and 

 Nebraska. Montana moved up from twenty-ninth to twenty-third position for export of all products. 



AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS DROP IN 1997 



U.S. agricultural exports reached $52.9 billion for the first 1 1 months of fiscal year 1997, 5 percent below 1996. 

 The cumulative value of bulk commodity exports is $21.7 billion, 17 percent below fiscal 1996. Grains continue to show 

 the largest year-to-year decrease, primarily reflecting lower prices after the high prices of 1996. Exports of wheat for the 

 first 1 1 months of 1997 are $3.6 billion, 42 percent below 1996. while corn exports, at $5.7 billion, are down 28 percent. 

 However, in August, exports of wheat and corn rose, reaching $504 million and $420 million, respectively, each well 

 above July 1997 shipments. 



AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS: Montana and U.S., 1994-1996 1/ 



