The U.S. agricultural trade deficit hit a record high in the first half of 2025.
Agricultural export value trailed the import value by $4.1 billion in June, a gap that’s 14 percent larger than a year ago. That pushed the ag sector’s trade deficit to $28.6 billion through the first half of 2025.
For 50 years, the U.S. ag sector has consistently had major trade surpluses, but the growing deficit signals a historic reversal for the sector.
The trend shift began in Trump’s first term during the trade war with China. Recent data from the U.S. Commerce Department showed the U.S. exported only $5.5 billion worth of farm goods to China during the first six months of the year, compared to $11.8 billion at the same point last year.
Source: NAFB News Service
