Loss Of Export Markets Have A Big Impact On Southern Row Croppers

Which row crops in which states have the most to lose in a trade war?

With inauguration day Monday, here’s a few graphics showing the varying levels of export dependency across row crops and states in the USA.  These graphics provide a roadmap for the regions and crops most vulnerable to trade disruptions.

The southern states clearly have the most to lose.  This is driven by cotton, and to a lesser extent sorghum, rice and peanut acres.  And the reality is southern beans and corn are exported at a higher rate than the Midwest.  This skews the effect even more than this simple look implies.

Any prolonged trade disruption will drive a policy response to aide impacted growers.  I’m interested to see what policy ideas find support.