USDA estimates that U.S. agricultural exports for fiscal year 2013 will reach a record of $143.5 billion. The forecast for fiscal year 2012 exports is estimated to reach $136.5 billion. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said, “Today's export forecast marks indication of an historic achievement for America's farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. Even with tough odds due to extreme weather, U.S. agriculture is now poised for three consecutive years of record exports, smashing all previous records and putting America's agricultural sector on pace to achieve President Obama's goal under the National Export Initiative of doubling exports by the end of 2014. These exports will support more than one million jobs in communities across the country.” U.S. agricultural exports have risen 50% since 2009.