China's growing demand raises hope for US farmers: media

WASHINGTON - China's increased import demand and rising global food prices are fueling a recovery in US agriculture which was hit hard by the US trade war with China, the Financial Times has reported.

Former US President Donald Trump's "trade war with China left American farmers dependent on government handouts to survive," said the report on Monday. "But China is now at the heart of a reversal in farmers' fortunes."

"Increased demand from China, along with a supply constraints on corn and soybeans caused by a drought in Brazil, have driven a surge in global food prices, providing a further boost for American farmers," it said.

Citing forecast of the US Department of Agriculture, the report said the United States is expected to export a record $37.2 billion worth of farm goods to China in 2021, accounting for 23 percent of total US agricultural exports.

In its Outlook for US Agricultural Trade published in May, the USDA forecast China to remain as the largest market for US agricultural exports in fiscal year 2021, followed by Canada and Mexico.