ERS, working closely with the World Agricultural Outlook Board, the Foreign Agricultural Service, and other USDA agencies, conducts market analysis and provides short- and long-term projections of U.S. and world agricultural production, consumption, and trade. The market and outlook program has enhanced the quality, transparency, and accessibility of data and analytical information. 

ERS economists:

• Create and maintain databases and release market outlook reports on farm conditions and specific commodities.
• Combine data from the ERS market outlook program with data collected by different Federal and international statistical agencies to facilitate analyses of economic performance over time, and across domestic and foreign markets.
• Integrate commodity outlook and forecasting and the Agency's research programs.
• Maintain modeling systems that provide the foundation for long-term forecasts.