Wisconsin Ag Connection - State Agricultural Exports Still on the Rise

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State Agricultural Exports Still on the Rise
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 08/18/2014

More and more of the food and other agricultural 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 last week that Wisconsin is on pace for another record-breaking year for agricultural exports.

Wisconsin shipped over $1.9 billion worth of products abroad from January through June of this year to 128 countries. That is a 17 percent increase over the same time period in 2013; placing the state 12th in the nation in ag exports.

State Agriculture Secretary Ben Brancel says the success can be directly attributed to the efforts of the agribusinesses themselves.

"The international trade teams here at DATCP and at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation can only advise and guide the private sector through the maze of the exporting world," Brancel said. "It is the companies themselves that produce the quality products that are in demand, and they forge the relationships necessary for success."

Growth in dairy exports, including dairy derivatives, increased 30 percent compared to the first half of 2013 to $273 million. Wisconsin ranks third among the states in the export of these products, and first in the nation in the export of bovine genetics, whey, ginseng, processed sweet corn and mink fur skins. The export of cheese and processed cranberries from the Badger State were each ranked second nationally.

Canada continues to be the top market for the state's agricultural goods. Wisconsin exported $934 million of products to that country during the first six months of this year.

Mexico, which is the state's second largest food customer, imported $160 million of products from the state this year. That's an increase of 36-percent over the same period last year. And China was third with $157 million in shipments.

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