| In a year when the value of U.S. agricultural exports set a record, it isn’t surprising 2022 was also record-setting for Nebraska agricultural exports. Nebraska’s agricultural exports that year were $9.97 billion, $763 million more than the previous year. It marked the third consecutive year of record-setting exports. Over the three years, Nebraska overseas sales grew $3.7 billion, or 60%. Nebraska was the fifth-largest agricultural exporting state trailing only California, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. Nebraska Farm Bureau’s latest edition of its annual trade report, Nebraska Agriculture and International Trade, in addition to analyzing the statewide export numbers measures the value of 2022 exports for counties. (Figure 1). Using county crop production and livestock numbers to weigh the state export figures among counties; Platte County rose to top the state in the value received from trade of $245 million. Custer and Cuming Counties closely followed with values of $239 million and $233 million each. In all, six counties bested $200 million with Dawson, Holt, and Phelps Counties also surpassing the threshold. It wasn’t until 2021 that a county first crossed the $200 million threshold. Counties least affected by trade in 2022 were Hooker, Thomas, and Grant Counties with less than $9 million in export value.FIGURE 1. EXPORT VALUE BY COUNTY, 2022  Source: Nebraska Agriculture and International Trade, Nebraska Farm BureauThe report also estimates top export commodities for counties (Figure 2). Soybeans were top the exported commodity for most counties in 2022. Forty-six counties saw the greatest export value from soybeans, an increase of 23 counties from 2021. Corn had been the top commodity for the most counties the previous year. The number of counties with corn as the top export commodity fell from 41 in 2021 to 13 in 2022. The flip in positions reflects the state’s overall exports in 2022 where soybeans outpaced corn. The number of counties with beef as the top export commodity increased by four in 2022 to 31. And wheat was the top export county in three counties. The geographical distribution of the top export commodities highlights regional differences in agricultural production. Counties with soybeans as the top export commodity are in the eastern third of the state where soybean production is most prevalent. Counties with corn as the top export commodity are scattered in the central and western parts of the state. Beef continues to dominate as the top export in the Sandhills and northern Panhandle, regions where beef production is significant. And wheat dominates in counties in the southern Panhandle and southwest. FIGURE 2. ESTIMATED TOP EXPORT COMMODITY BY COUNTY |
2021 | 2022 |
| Source: Nebraska Agriculture and International Trade, Nebraska Farm Bureau |
| The report reinforces the importance of agricultural trade to Nebraska. In 2022, the value of soybean exports equated to 55% of the receipts received by soybean producers. In effect, every other row of soybeans produced in the state. Moreover, the value of corn exports equated to 20% of the receipts received by corn producers, one out of every five rows. The report also illustrates how the ebb and flow of trade can affect counties and local communities. For example, the shifting of corn and soybeans as top exports among counties. Finally, the report can show how trade policies and global geopolitics influence producers’ bottom lines. The report can be found at: https://www.nefb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/neagriculture-internationaltrade_2022_final.pdf |
