▶ U.S. farm trade surplus shrinks

The U.S. surplus in agricultural trade will tumble 63 per cent to the lowest in a decade because of lower commodity prices and a stronger dollar that reduces the competitiveness of the country’s exports. In the 12 months ending Sept. 30, U.S. shipments of grain, soybeans, cotton, meat and other farm products will fall 5.9 per cent to $131.5 billion US while agricultural imports will climb to a record $122 billion US.