US economy grew at 1.3 per cent rate in April-June quarter, weaker than previous estimate

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In this March 19, 2012 photo, a worker toils on a new home under construction in south Denver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, David Zalubowski

WASHINGTON – The U.S. economy grew at an even more sluggish pace in the April-June quarter than previously believed as farm production in the Midwest was reduced by a severe drought.

The Commerce Department says that the overall economy grew at an annual rate of 1.3 per cent in the spring, down from its previous estimate of 1.7 per cent growth. The big revision reflected that the government slashed its estimate of crop production by $12 billion.

About half of the downward revision to growth came from the decline in farm inventories. But other areas were weaker as well including slower consumer spending and less growth in exports.

The 1.3 per cent growth in the spring followed a sluggish 2 per cent growth rate in the first quarter, rates too slow to lower unemployment.

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