-Summer 1994 "Update" Newsletter Article -

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World trade trends observed
CAB researcher tracks production, export data of major international producers of select crops

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From CATI Publication #941001
Copyright © 1994. All rights reserved.

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The steady growth rate in agricultural production in countries around the world has reduced the United States' share of the international farm export market from 19 percent to about 14 percent over the last 15 years, federal government statistics show.

On the other hand, for certain crops that are considered major crops in California, the U.S. has made significant export gains in recent years, indicating that while the overall U.S. trade role may be declining, California continues to increase its stature as a powerhouse of production in the world trade market.

These are some of the conclusions that can be drawn from a trade publication soon to be published by CSU, Fresno's California Agricultural Technology Institute (CATI). Entitled "World Suppliers of Select California Grown Crops," the booklet is authored by CSU, Fresno agricultural economics Professor John W. Hagen. The research project was sponsored by CATI's Center for Agricultural Business (CAB) for the purpose of providing California farm producers and exporters with data that will help them to keep better track of their international competition.

While the U.S. still maintains its status as number one world exporter of farm products, the growth in other countries" agricultural power has forced American producers to realize that it is no longer a domestic market, but rather a world market which affects the value of crops grown anywhere from the San Joaquin Valley of California to the wheat-covered steppes of Russia, the author notes.

"As California agriculture continues the globalization process, world supplies, not domestic production, determine prices farmers receive for their products," Hagen reiterates.

The author's study tracks production by the major producers and exporters of seven crops that are considered major crops in California. They include almonds, cling peaches, cotton, oranges, raisins, rice, and walnuts. In most cases the data cover a 20-year period - from 1970 to 1992 -and show production trends as well as gains or losses different countries have made on the world export market.

The format includes a series of tables for each crop. For example, for almonds, the author first provides figures on total world production from 1970 to 1992. That is followed by tables outlining annual production and exports by each of the world's top almond producing countries -Greece, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the U.S.

Data is provided on anywhere from five to 12 major world producers of each crop.

In a final series of tables, the author shows comparative changes in world market shares of the major producers of each of the seven crops. Figures show that the U.S. has greatly increased its world export share of almonds and raisins, and has also made market gains with cotton, oranges, and walnuts. Declines were shown for the U.S. market share of cling peaches and rice.

Hagen's search for production and export data led him to several sources, including the Library of Congress, AGRICOLA, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Single copies of "World Suppliers of Select California Grown Crops" will be available at no charge to interested persons. Please see the Publications Available form on Page 7 for ordering information.

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