November 2000 - Houston, Texas

Agriculture in the United States and Texas has become increasingly dependent on trade during the last decade. Total US agricultural exports in 1999 reached $49 billion, while generating nearly $90 billion in economic activity and accounting for 750,000 jobs. US agriculture is four times more trade dependent than the overall US economy, with 28 percent of agricultural GDP generated by exports, compared to just 7 percent of the overall economy. In 1999, Texas was the sixth largest exporter of agricultural products. Exports of Texas agricultural products were valued at $2.5 billion.

While much of this increased trade is due to higher incomes in many parts of the world, especially East and Southeast Asia, trade liberalization has been a key factor affecting growth of US agricultural exports and imports. Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan are among the fastest growing markets, while China, India, Central and Eastern Europe, Indonesia, and Malaysia have much potential as future markets. Many countries in Central and South America are poised to grow and develop, and possess the potential to become more important markets for Texas. These economic factors, combined with policy implementation of NAFTA and current actions of the WTO will result in adjustments for many farmers and ranchers in the US and Texas.

This summit was designed to bring together the people who make trade decisions and the people who are impacted by them, including farmers and ranchers, agribusinesses, retailers, consumers, natural resource leaders, government officials, and university scientists and educators. The feedback and discussion received from summit participants will be used to develop a strategic plan to position Texas as a bigger player in the international trade of agricultural products and commodities.

Publications:      International Agribusiness Marketing: An Introductory Guide

                         International Agricultural Trade Summit: Final Report

News Stories

The Planning Committee for this Summit included the following people:

This Summit would not have been possible without cooperation and financial support from:

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