In the 2 years following the January 1980-April 1981 sales suspension, Soviet purchases of U.S. farm goods have remained more than one-third below 1979's record $3 billion in agricultural sales. The worldwide economic recession reduced demand for U.S. agricultural exports during 1982, lowering agricultural levels. export values by 15 percent from year-earlier Sluggish foreign demand, low prices, higher U.S. dollar exchange rates, and heavy rains contribut2d to the continued decline in U.S. exports of farm products during April. The U.S. dollar continued to strengthen against other currencies during the first 6 months of 1983. Following the January announcement of the payment-in-kind (PIK) pro·gram, export prices have risen in tandem with domestic crop prices. U.S. agricultural export assistance through credit guarantee programs totaled nearly $1.6 billion during 1982 ..