US food, farm exports could have record year

TAMPA, Fla. – Federal officials are expecting a record year for U.S. agriculture exports.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says farm and food products are expected to reach a record $135.5 billion in fiscal year 2011, which ends in September.

Vilsack told The Associated Press that U.S. agriculture may have its best export year ever. Compared to fiscal 2010, export value is expected to grow 25 percent.

Vilsack spoke Friday in Tampa at the Commodity Classic, a large convention and trade show for the U.S. corn, soybean, wheat, and sorghum industries that draws some 4,500 farmers from around the nation.