Wisconsin Ag Connection - State Agricultural Exports Still on the Rise

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

State Agricultural Exports Still on the Rise
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 11/22/2013

More and more of the food products grown by Wisconsin farmers continue to be enjoyed by consumers around the world. That's according to the state's agriculture department, which announced on Thursday that the value of agricultural exports increased six-percent through the first nine months of 2013 when compared to the same time last year. Wisconsin shipped over $2.3 billion worth of products abroad from January to September 2013. That places the state 13th in the nation for the value of its agricultural exports.

State Agriculture Secretary Ben Brancel says the most valuable export product for America's Dairyland is dairy-related products. Wisconsin exported $275 million of cheese, milk and eggs through the third quarter--which is a 34-percent increase over the same period in 2012.

"Dairy-related products continue to do exceptionally well in Wisconsin's growing agricultural exports, benefiting the state's farmers, businesses and economy," Brancel said. "The great contributions of Wisconsin agriculture will work to meet worldwide demand for safe food and high quality agricultural products."

Canada continues to be the top market for the state's agricultural goods. Wisconsin exported $1.1 billion of products to that country during the first nine months of this year, including over $133 million in ethanol fuel.

China, which is the state's second largest food customer, imported $211 million of products from the state this year. That's an increase of 78.5-percent over the same period last year. And Mexico was third with $175 million in shipments.

Brancel says Wisconsin exported agricultural products to more than 140 countries between January and September.

Other Wisconsin Headlines