What will be the effect of Katrina on Louisiana's farm exports, which have already felt a loss this year? For the first half of this year the state's agricultural shipments were valued at $3.3 billion, a decline of 16.5 percent compared to the same period in 2004, according to the World Trade Center of New Orleans.

Overall, U.S. farmers and agricultural producers may see losses of as much as $2 billion from Hurricane Katrina, and direct damage to crops and livestock may exceed $1 billion, said Terry Francl, chief economist at the American Farm Bureau, which represents about 5 million farmers. Another $1 billion may be lost from delayed exports of corn and soybeans and soaring fuel prices, he said.

As for Louisiana's other exports, even this year's strongest sectors-chemicals, petroleum and coal products, and machinery-could fall off sharply during the last half of 2005 because of the hurricane.

Although the state broke an export record last year and was on track to surpass it this year, the final outcome is now questionable.