Coalition Touts New Study Showing USMCA's Powerful Benefits for Agriculture

Analysis finds trade deal delivers significant economic gains for rural communities across the U.S.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A new economic analysis released by the Agricultural Coalition for the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has found that USMCA is a powerful driver for employment, investment and long-term competitiveness in the U.S. agricultural sector. The coalition is urging leaders of the U.S., Canada and Mexico to renew and further strengthen the trade agreement as it enters a formal review period.

Why it matters

USMCA is a critical part of rural America's economic success and resilience, particularly during tough times. The agreement supports growth, stability and market access across key agricultural commodities like fresh produce, dairy and more. As the deal enters a review period, its long-term renewal is a top priority for the U.S. food and agriculture industry.

The details

The analysis, which uses a 2024 base-year model, found that U.S. agricultural and seafood exports to Canada and Mexico under USMCA have delivered significant economic benefits. Key findings include a 34% increase in fresh U.S. fruit export values and a 14% growth in U.S. vegetable exports since the agreement took effect. The coalition says USMCA is vital to the ability of U.S. dairy farmers to trade with Mexico and Canada, and they are urging the president to renew the deal with targeted changes to make it even more robust.

  • The United States, Canada and Mexico must begin a formal review of USMCA by July.
  • The economic impact analysis uses a 2024 base-year model to evaluate the impact of U.S. agricultural and seafood exports to Canada and Mexico under USMCA.

The players

Agricultural Coalition for USMCA

A broad-based alliance representing the full landscape of U.S. food and agricultural trade associations, state agriculture leadership and related interests committed to the renewal of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Krista Swanson

Chief economist for the National Corn Growers Association, a member of the coalition.

Alexis Taylor

Chief Global Policy Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association.

Shawna Morris

Executive Vice President for Trade Policy and Global Affairs at the National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council.

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What they’re saying

“Our analysis shows that USMCA is a powerful driver for employment, investment and long-term competitiveness in the U.S. agricultural sector. While the agreement is due for a few targeted improvements, overall, it is critical to the farm economy and a key part of rural America's success and resilience, particularly during tough economic times like we are in now.”

— Krista Swanson, Chief economist for the National Corn Growers Association (kfgo.com)

“The long‑term success of USMCA is a top priority for our members. Since the agreement took effect, fresh U.S. fruit export values have increased by 34%, while U.S. vegetable exports have grown by 14%. These gains highlight the tangible value USMCA delivers across the fresh produce supply chain and reinforce the importance of a strong, integrated North American trade environment.”

— Alexis Taylor, Chief Global Policy Officer, International Fresh Produce Association (kfgo.com)

“Mexico is a very lucrative market for America's dairy farmers, and Canada too represents important export sales as well as the opportunity for more growth. USMCA is vital to our ability to trade with both partners. We urge the president to renew the agreement with targeted changes that will make it even more robust and helpful to farmers.”

— Shawna Morris, Executive Vice President for Trade Policy and Global Affairs, National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council (kfgo.com)

What’s next

The United States, Canada and Mexico must begin a formal review of USMCA by July to determine whether to renew the agreement, make targeted updates, terminate or shift to annual consultations.

The takeaway

This analysis highlights the critical importance of USMCA to the success and resilience of the U.S. agricultural sector, particularly for key industries like fresh produce and dairy. As the agreement enters a formal review period, its long-term renewal is a top priority for the coalition and the broader food and agriculture community.