Since 1980, US exports of grains and oilseeds have grown, but at a slower rate than US domestic consumption, resulting in a declining relative role of exports in the US grain-oilseed sector. The decline reflects many factors, including higher per capita income, which has increased consumption of animal protein, and the longstanding US goal of energy self-sufficiency. It is also consistent with US domestic demand being a more certain demand expansion path than exports.
