WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — The U.S. agricultural trade deficit narrowed sharply during the first half of 2026 as exports increased and imports declined. Census Bureau data using USDA’s broad agricultural-commodity definition shows exports reached $91.8 billion, while imports totaled $104.9 billion.
The resulting deficit was about $13 billion, down from roughly $28.6 billion during the same period last year. Agricultural exports increased nearly $6 billion, while imports fell approximately $9.6 billion.
Grains, oilseeds, animal feed, and dairy helped strengthen exports. Cereal exports reached $17.1 billion, oilseed sales totaled $10.9 billion, and dairy and egg exports climbed to nearly $4.4 billion.
Weakness remained in products the United States imports heavily. Fruit and vegetable imports totaled $27.3 billion, nearly twice exports, while meat imports slightly exceeded meat exports.
Future improvement will depend on commodity prices, foreign demand, tariffs, exchange rates, and transportation costs. A smaller deficit strengthens agriculture’s trade position but does not eliminate pressure in livestock and specialty-crop markets.
