The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) anticipates implementing an enhanced system for its weekly export sales reporting program, with the upgraded system, named the Export Sales Reporting and Query System (ESRQS), expected to be rolled out in late 2025. Exporters are mandated by law to report sales of U.S. agricultural commodities to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, which subsequently releases weekly export sales reports every Thursday. These reports are closely monitored by grain and livestock traders.
The decision to introduce the ESRQS follows a failed roll-out in August 2022, which resulted in significant disruptions for traders and delayed export sales reports for three weeks. Patrick Packnett, a deputy administrator with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, emphasized the agency’s commitment to refining the new system and conducting extensive testing with exporters before proceeding with the launch.
Speaking at a data users’ meeting in Chicago, Packnett indicated that the USDA is aiming to launch the new system in 2025, likely towards the latter part of the year. The agency’s focus on thorough testing and collaboration with exporters underscores the importance of a smooth and successful implementation to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the export sales reporting process.