Exports of farm products help boost Texas’ farm prices and income. Such exports help support about 53,720 jobs both on and off the farm in food processing, storage, and transportation. In 2003, Texas’ farm cash receipts were $15.3 billion, and agricultural exports were estimated at $3.4 billion, putting its reliance on agricultural exports at 22 percent. Implementation of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) will increase Texas’ exports of agricultural products.

Despite over $1.6 billion in U.S. farm exports in 2003, CAFTA-DR countries continue to impose high tariffs and other barriers on most agricultural products, including Texas’ key exports. A primary U.S. objective was to change the "one-way-street" of duty-free access currently enjoyed by most CAFTA-DR exports into a "two-way-street" that provides U.S. suppliers with access to these markets and levels the playing field with other competitors. This objective was achieved. Over 50 agricultural industry and farm groups, including the American Farm Bureau support the FTA.

Beef. Providing over one-half of the state’s farm cash receipts ($7.8 billion) and as the nation’s 3^rd largest exporter of live animals and meat, Texas cattle and calve producers benefit from the FTA.

• Current import duties on U.S. beef exports are as high as 30 percent, and the WTO permits duties as high as 79 percent.

• Duties on the products most important to the U.S. beef industry – Prime and Choice cuts – will be eliminated immediately in Central American countries, while the Dominican Republic will establish a zero duty TRQ of 1,100 metric tons which expands annually as duties are eliminated.

• Some immediate duty-free access will be provided by certain countries on other beef cuts through an initial TRQ totaling 1,165 metric tons, expanding annually until duties are fully phased-out.

• Duties currently applied to other beef products and beef offals will be phased-out in 5 to 10 years.

• CAFTA-DR countries are working toward the recognition of the U.S. meat inspection and certification systems in order to facilitate U.S. exports.

• The American Meat Institute, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Renderers Association, and the U.S. Meat Export Federation have expressed support publicly for the CAFTA-DR FTA.

Cotton. As the nation’s #1 exporter of cotton and with farm cash receipts totaling $1.3 billion, Texas cotton farmers will benefit from the FTA.

• The FTA will lock-in immediately zero tariffs for markets worth over $73.1 million to U.S. cotton suppliers.

• Under the WTO, CAFTA-DR countries could raise duties on cotton to 35 to 60 percent, depending on the country.

Poultry. Providing the 4^th largest source of state farm cash receipts at over $1 billion, Texas poultry producers will benefit from the FTA.

Dairy. Providing the 5^th largest source of farm cash receipts, Texas dairy producers benefit from the FTA.

Corn. As the nation’s 7^th largest exporter of feed grains, Texas corn producers benefit from the FTA.

• U.S. corn exporters face duties up to 35 percent, and the WTO permits duties as high as 75 percent.  

• Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic will eliminate their duty on yellow corn immediately. The other countries will provide preferential access through individual duty-free TRQs totaling 1,151,259 metric tons initially, growing by 5 percent per year as the over-quota duties are phased out over 15 years (10 years in the case of Guatemala).

• All currently applied duties on corn products (including corn flour, corn gluten feed, corn oil and high fructose corn syrup) will be phased-out in 15 years.  

• The Corn Refiners Association, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Grain and Feed Association, the National Grains Trade Council, the North American Export Grain Association, the U.S. Grains Council, and the North American Millers Association have expressed support publicly for the CAFTA-DR FTA.