Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

With all the news of tariffs and trade disputes between the United States and its business partners around the world, it might not seem like an ideal time to explore export opportunities. However, recent and ongoing negotiations may actually open new markets for U.S. exports. This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner highlights Food Export-Northeast, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping U.S. suppliers— particularly small- and medium-sized companies—expand their international reach. 

This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner features a collection of Industry Snapshots curated by Chris Laughton, Director of Knowledge Exchange at Farm Credit East. Alongside an overview of the national economy, the report covers key sectors of the Northeast farm economy, including dairy, timber and forest products, cash field crops, livestock, fruit, vegetables, greenhouse production, and fishing.

Cooperative teamwork played a key role in Connecticut’s budget success, delivering meaningful gains for Northeast agriculture. Farm Credit East members and leaders championed the investment tax credit (ITC). This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner article highlights new tax credits for Connecticut farmers and similar opportunities in New York and Maine.

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner article contributors Corey A. Geiger and Abbigail C. Prins of CoBank, outline a mixed outlook for U.S. dairy in 2025, noting strong retail sales and export potential but weak restaurant demand and rising costs. They highlight a historic drop in cow culling, surging butterfat production, and global herd challenges, suggesting cautious optimism for the industry’s future.