Lewallen has cut his own durum acreage and will plant soybeans for the first time. This year's cuts magnify the continuing decline of America's prominence in the world's food picture. Three decades ago, the US produced 13 percent of the world's wheat and accounted for more than one-quarter of world wheat exports. By last year, the US accounted for only 11 percent of global production, and exports had edged down to a 24 percent global share. Weigh in here.
Soybeans offer an even starker picture.
In 1971, the US grew two-thirds of the world crop and 85 percent of exports. Last year, America's share of production had fallen to less than half and its share of exports to 55 percent. Of major US crops, only corn and other coarse grains have boosted their importance in world markets. More countries are producing more food for their own use, crowding out US exports. Some, such as India and the European Community, use internal subsidies that distort grain markets.