On the trade front, the USDA is out with the latest numbers for the first eleven months of calendar year 2021.

"Agricultural exports through November of 2021 were $160.6 billion; a 20% increase from 2020," noted USDA economist, Bart Kenner, adding for the first eleven months of last year, wheat exports were running 16% ahead of the same time frame in 2020, and even more impressive:

"Exports of corn were 17.4 billion; up 110%.  Soy bean exports were 23.1 billion; up 11%."

But, Kenner pointed out, cotton sales were down 4%.  Nonetheless, a record pace for total U.S. exports, over $160.5 billion.  American Ag imports also running at a record level, up just under $156 billion.

"Leaving us with an agricultural trade balance of  $4.7 billion."

Kenner called that a "nice" trade surplus for 2021, adding the U.S. ran a trade deficit during the same months in 2020.

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