America’s preference for fresh, healthy foods year-round will drive a $100 billion increase in food and ag imports in the years ahead. That’s according to the USDA. The agency forecasts imports to increase by an average of six percent a year, in stark contrast than the 0.8 percent yearly increase in exports in the decade ahead. As soon as 2023, the U.S. could begin running ever-increasing deficits in agriculture trade, despite exports that are forecast to be the highest ever this year, according to the USDA’s 10-year baseline.
