160 Exports 



Montana Agricultural Statistics 1999 



MONTANA'S AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS INCREASE SLIGHTLY IN 1998 



The value of Montana's agricultural commodities exported during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998 totaled 

 $333.2 million, $22.1 million more than 1997. The value of commodities exported in 1998 accounted for only about a third 

 of the value of commodities exported in 1996. Wheat and wheat products remained Montana's leading export, making up 74 

 percent of the State's agricultural exports. Exports of wheat and wheat products accounted for the largest increase during 1998 

 with the value of exports raising $26.1 million from 1997. Feeds and fodder, and seeds were the only categories to decline, 

 dropping $1.2 million and $7.2 million respectively from 1997. Live animals and meat remained relatively constant only 

 increasing $200,000 from 1997. 



In fiscal 1998, the U.S. exported $53.7 billion worth of agricultural commodities, $3.6 billion less than 1997. Wheat 

 and wheat products accounted for the largest decrease in U.S. exports, dropping $3.7 million from 1997. Nationally, wheat 

 and wheat products make up 7.4 percent of all exports, off only slightly from 1997. 



Montana moved up from a fifth place ranking to fourth place among states exporting wheat and wheat products in 

 fiscal year 1998. Kansas remained in the top position as a wheat exporter, followed by North Dakota, Washington, and 

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

 Montana remained in thirty-forth position for export of all products. 



WORLD WHEAT STOCKS TO DROP IN 1999/2000 



World wheat stocks are forecast to drop 13 million tons in 1999/2000, the largest reduction since 1994/95. World 

 wheat production is declining by 13 million tons at the same time that foreign consumption is relatively stable. The global 

 ending-stocks-to-use ratio is expected to drop to 21 percent, almost as low as the 19.8 percent reached in 1996/97, and prices 

 that season reached very high levels. Exports in 1999/2000 are expected to rise 10 percent from the disappointing 1998/99 

 total that included a substantial quantity of food aid. For 1999/2000, a more usual price pattern is expected, with prices 

 reaching their seasonal low during harvest and increasing as the marketing season progresses. Declining returns in recent years 

 have encouraged producers to switch to other crops or leave more land fallow. However, little if any increase in world prices 

 is expected in 1999/2000 because major wheat exporters' supplies are large. 



REPORTS ISSUED and PUBLICATION DATES 



