Strong sales of grain and feed have increased the forecast of U.S. ag exports for fiscal 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported last week.

For fiscal 2017, the forecast of $139.8 billion for U.S. agricultural exports represents an increase of $2.8 billion from last quarter’s forecast and $10.2 billion from fiscal 2016, largely due to expectations in grain/feed and soybean exports, the USDA said in its report last week.

Fiscal 2017 oilseeds and products exports are forecast at $32.5 billion, up $3.2 billion from fiscal 2016, the USDA said. Furthermore, the August forecast was raised by $800 million from the previous forecast for fiscal 2017 due to strong late-season shipments of soybeans. Fiscal 2018 agricultural exports are projected at $139 billion, down $800 million from the revised fiscal...