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Texas Agriculture Archive

May 17, 2002

Imports as a share of food consumption climbed to an average 9 percent annually in 1996-2000, up from 7.6 percent in the two decades before 1996. The rise is attributed partly to greater demand for high-value agricultural products that other countries offer, and partly to the higher exchange rate of the U.S. dollar, which increases the purchasing power of the dollar. By 2000, the inflation-adjusted value of the dollar, compared with the currencies of countries who import U.S. foods, was 21 percent higher than in 1995.
Source: USDA/ERS; Agricultural Outlook/April 2002

Horticultural exports, imports increase
Over the period 1991-2001, U.S. imports of horticultural products (including fresh and processed fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery products, flowers, wine, beer, juices, and miscellaneous) rose from $8.6 billion to $17.2 billion, while U.S. exports of horticultural products rose from $6.6 billion to $11 billion.

Key factors behind the rise in imports include: the relatively open U.S. import regime (U.S. bound agricultural tariffs average 12 percent compared with the global bound average of 62 percent); the strong dollar which has made imported products relatively less expensive; the growth in the U.S. population from about 253 million in 1991 to 280 million in 2001; the rise in the U.S. GDP per capita from $24,000 in 1991 to about $35,000 in 2001; and total per capita consumption of fruits and vegetable rose 19 percent from 1982 to 1997.

Key factors limiting export growth: The strong dollar has hindered U.S. competitiveness abroad; many countries continue to maintain restrictive market access policies, primarily in the form of high tariffs; increased competition, as some countries, such as those in the European Union, has raised levels of horticultural production by providing direct and indirect subsidies and other assistance; and economic slowdown in key consuming countries, such as Japan.
Source: USDA; World Horticultural Trade and U.S. Export Opportunities, April 2002

PETA: Eat road kill, not meat
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is telling residents of Lubbock that if they must eat meat, they should eat road kill because "it's more humane to eat road kill than a factory-farmed animal."

With this in mind, PETA sponsored a road kill barbecue in Lubbock last week. Sources have revealed that tofu was served at the cookout rather than various flattened vermin. "We wanted them to try an alternative to meat," said a PETA spokesperson. "But if we told them it was tofu, most self-respecting Texans wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole."
Source: AFBF, Executive Newswatch, May 6, 2002 (PETA press release)

Meat production to show increase
Total meat production in 2002 is projected to be nearly 84 billion pounds, up 1 percent from a year ago. Poultry and pork production are expected to be up modestly, while beef production is expected to be nearly unchanged. Drought conditions are forcing more cattle into feedlots and possibly delaying herd expansion for at least another year, according to USDA estimates.
Source: ERS; USDA; Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry Outlook